Website outs those living with STDs

[Esquare]

This would be one of those bad uses for the internet.  We don't need this. 

stdcarriers dot com

[emeraldize]

Holy crap! Did you look at this? Is this for real? There are names, even photos! One entry seemed to be showing a lawsuit is in progress.

[skeebo1969]

  WOW I just checked it out.  Hell they even have an actor from Knight Rider listed... and I aint talking about the Trans AM..

  Someone is gonna get burned for sure...

[Alain]

how can you trust the info......first hand knowledge from the EX.... ya right.

 

[komnaes]

For the sake for sanity I do ask the mods to please take down the link, for the simple reason that no one should give this site any more free advertising. I know Esquire probably doesn't mean to, but it's obviously that this site is trying to attract attention so that people will start using it (which a few already have), and we can safely guess how ugly it will become once it's caught on.

I wouldn't have bothered to ask for a takedown (for the link) but these forums has very high traffics and we know that not all readers are here to seek information. Hopefully it will backfire on those who have started this sick joke but I just don't think we should give it any airing.

Shaun

[next2u]

that website sucks

[dixieman]

Unfortunately, I think this will become more common in the future... because of peoples lack of concern for others in passing an STD and a lack of concern for their own health.

[GSOgymrat]

Reprehensible.

[thunter34]

For the sake for sanity I do ask the mods to please take down the link, for the simple reason that no one should give this site any more free advertising. I know Esquire probably doesn't mean to, but it's obviously that this site is trying to attract attention so that people will start using it (which a few already have), and we can safely guess how ugly it will become once it's caught on.

I wouldn't have bothered to ask for a takedown (for the link) but these forums has very high traffics and we know that not all readers are here to seek information. Hopefully it will backfire on those who have started this sick joke but I just don't think we should give it any airing.

Shaun

I strongly agree with Shaun here.  Does anyone here remember the guy that backtracked here after Philly (I think) linked to his site?

Ahem...all it takes is for the founder of this site to check the traffic history of his site and backtrack here - and then we're all a goldmine of people to expose for him.  You all do realize that, don't you? 

[Miss Philicia]

wut

[thunter34]

wut

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?action=profile;u=9968

[thunter34]

and....


http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=20143.msg266216#msg266216


See - it was you! Sebastian backtracked here by looking at his web traffic.  There is no reason this STD site bozo can't do the same thing, and many of us have varying degrees of personally identifying information on here that could quickly get us listed on his site.

[Miss Philicia]

Oh got it -- I think it's called a "redirect" or something.  Since the link is embedded from these forums they can detect the redirect in their traffic statistics.

The moderators, and/or the OP, can prevent this by utilizing TinyURL.com to block the redirect while still allowing users to go to the referenced offensive web site.

http://tinyurl.com/

[emeraldize]

The site owner/founder brings a whole new definition to the acronym S T D. Spiteful, Time-wasting and Destructive. Well, I sure hope if he's reading this thread, I hope he's ready for a mo fo of a lawsuit. Maybe with this many folks they could pool their efforts. There was a similar type of lawsuit no so long ago where someone's ex ratted out his herpes status. The guy outed was a lawyer and did not go down without a fight. I'll see if I can find the linkage. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07338/838968-85.stm

But here’s something I hope the site initiator reads and forum visitors:  http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/publication-private-facts  Here's an excerpt to encourage readership…there’s much more than this on the site.


Publication of Private Facts
In most states, you can be sued for publishing private facts about another person, even if those facts are true. The term "private facts" refers to information about someone's personal life that has not previously been revealed to the public, that is not of legitimate public concern, and the publication of which would be offensive to a reasonable person. For example, writing about a person's HIV status, sexual orientation, or financial troubles could lead to liability for publication of private facts. However, the law protects you when you publish information that is newsworthy, regardless of whether someone else would like you to keep that information private. In addition, the law protects you if you publish information already exposed to the public eye and especially material obtained from publicly available court records. Despite the law's substantial protections for legitimate reporting on matters of public interest, it is a good practice to obtain consent before publishing sensitive private information about someone.

Who Can Sue for Publication of Private Facts
Only human beings, and not corporations or other organizations, can sue for publication of private facts. Publication of private facts is a type of invasion of privacy, and you cannot invade the privacy of a dead person. Therefore, an estate cannot sue you for publishing private facts about a dead person, unless your publication took place before the person in question died. Note, however, that members of a dead person's family may be able to sue in their own right if you disclose private facts that relate to them too.

Elements of a Private Facts Claim
A plaintiff must establish four elements to hold someone liable for publication of private facts:
1. Public Disclosure: The disclosure of facts must be public. Another way of saying this is that the defendant must "give publicity" to the fact or facts in question.
2. Private Fact: The fact or facts disclosed must be private, and not generally known.
3. Offensive to a Reasonable Person: Publication of the private facts in question must be offensive to a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities.
4. Not Newsworthy: The facts disclosed must not be newsworthy. Stated differently, the facts disclosed must not be a matter of legitimate public concern.

[Peter Staley]

You're all being way too paranoid, but I've gone ahead and changed the link to a TinyUrl link.

[emeraldize]

I appreciate Tim and Philly's healthy level of paranoia as I don't know about the ease and frequency of tracing back site traffic.  It is true we have a couple of posters who've outed themselves in terms of too much personal information and so, for them, if no one else, it seems prudent to block any access.

[Miss Philicia]

Don't lump me in with the Paranoia Brigade.  I simply offered a solution to other's worries.

[jkinatl2]

You're all being way too paranoid, but I've gone ahead and changed the link to a TinyUrl link.

Thanks, Peter. As as someone who has been the victim of online stalking from this forum and my blog, I assure you that the paranoia is justified. There are far more crazy people out there than any of us can guess. And no one knows when he or she will become a target.

Seriously, I have never brought this up on the public forum, but it's one of the safety issues that needs to be reiterated from time to time. Thanks again for putting the disclaimer up at the top of the page about personal information and avatars. Important stuff to remember.

[Oceanbeach]

I just checked the list of people living in California.  There were 50,000 people in California living with HIV just 2 years ago.  This list has 6 people, 5 of which are celebrities, the 6th person Billy Graham might be the Billy Graham.  The average person is not going to have a chance to even meet David Crosby, Lisa Minnelli, David Hasselhoff or Pamela Anderson in their lifetime let alone get close enough to get Hep C or Herpes from one of them.   That information could have come from the tabloids.  At this moment there are over 8,000 members in these Forums, none of use will ever be in The National Inquirer.

Even IF the web site was going through our posts to gather information, which would be a very long and involved project... my last name has never been written in these forums or used in Commission on AIDS minutes.  I will not be losing any sleep over this    Have the best day
Michael
(whose last name is not Sonomabeach)

[HIV+Me]

I agree it's not only reprehensible, but is also a violation of law, revealing one's HIV status without your written consent.  (Trust me, a friend who left one job where a nasty manager mentioned it to others after he left, and it got around, got socked with a HEFTY fine and probation.)  But just glancing at the first two HIV+ names, both Magic Johnson and Rebekka Armstrong are quite public with their status (though I wonder if the average American these days remembers Magic's first name is "Earvin" as it's listed here.)

[OneTampa]

Pitiful.  Just pitiful. I suspect the site owner will reap nasty soon.

[Oceanbeach]

(though I wonder if the average American these days remembers Magic's first name is "Earvin" as it's listed here.)

Maybe not now but, I remember my last bar job.  A caller made reservations for 6 or 8 people using the name Earvin Johnson.  There was a big fight over who would get that table because that was Magic Johnson.  Mr. Johnson and his party never showed up at Birdland West that night.     Have the best day
Michael

[thunter34]

Thanks, Peter. As as someone who has been the victim of online stalking from this forum and my blog, I assure you that the paranoia is justified. There are far more crazy people out there than any of us can guess. And no one knows when he or she will become a target.

Seriously, I have never brought this up on the public forum, but it's one of the safety issues that needs to be reiterated from time to time. Thanks again for putting the disclaimer up at the top of the page about personal information and avatars. Important stuff to remember.

A friend of mine on another site actually had to yank down some YouTube videos because he got mail from some anonymous person who had figured out his exact address based on the view visible from the window in some of his videos.

And as the old saying goes:  just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.   

[Mike89406]

Here is a CNN story about it

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/11/02/yeager.std.website.kgw

So the question is how do we shut down the website?

Mike

[Mike89406]

I reported it to the Federal Trade Comission dont know if they will do anything or fully remove the website or prosecute the member.


https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

[skeebo1969]

  I noticed someone posted a profile about the founder of the site.  I checked to see if he also posted a profile in regards to himself, which he did.  Above his profile someone has listed Fat GapTooth Fucker, which of course is for the founder himself.  I have a funny feeling there will be plenty more cool profile names listed for the guy.

  One girl is even blamed for the destruction of a wooden futon in her profile.  The site will most likely lose a lot of it's credibility (cough) as time goes along because of fake profiles like  Billy Fuckherfaster.

[HereIAm]

Hi Skeebo1969,

I noticed the one who broke the futon given her weight!  Are we gravitating toward the same profiles?!

:-)

I can't imagine this will legitimately take off.  And, a place where an ex can tell something on someone?  Are you kidding?! 


Regards,
Here!

[skeebo1969]

Hi Skeebo1969,

I noticed the one who broke the futon given her weight!  Are we gravitating toward the same profiles?!

:-)

Yep that's the one....

Regarding the paranoia stuff, here is a different spin on it.  According to his comments, this guy is doing his research on the web.  If he has not already he is most likely going to come across this site.  It is possible to save others avatars along with getting personal information on the people who have it in their profiles.   Just be careful in other words if this is something you don't want posted on the this site, which CNN has now given a free plug. 

Not trying to start mass hysteria or anything, I just thought some should know.

[GSOgymrat]

If he has not already he is most likely going to come across this site.  It is possible to save others avatars along with getting personal information on the people who have it in their profiles.   Just be careful in other words if this is something you don't want posted on the this site, which CNN has now given a free plug. 

Not trying to start mass hysteria or anything, I just thought some should know.

Well, thank GOD I haven't posted any personal information! 

[BT65]

It is becoming way too easy to do real harm to people.  Sad.

[Mike89406]

Here some interesting dirt on the websites creator you may find interesting

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_110408_news_STD_website_creator_criminal_past.17cb5ddfb.html

[Mike89406]

I tried to see if the site is till running and I get in the enter link and then a error message. I wonder if the server crashed?

[Mike89406]

Just an update. When I first found the previously mentioned website I contacted a few federal organizations concerning his blatant disregard for individual medical privacy one of which was the Federal Trade Commission, HIPPA complaint and my local congressman.

I received a Official letter from my local congressman in Nevada watermarked and all, and he agrees that confidentiality is an important issue in this matter. He also mentioned that Cyrus Sullivan (The webmaster) pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment charges when he falsely advertised STD clinics several years ago and before his website was launched, and he mentioned that he is currently under investigation by local enforcement authorities. He lastly mentioned that he will keep my thoughts in mind should legislation regarding the privacy of medical information comes before Congress.

Having said all of that I'm not one to blow whistles on people or see them get in to trouble unless they truly deserve it,  however since mine and other peoples medical confidentiality is extremely important he has crossed the fine line with me and deserves what he gets in my opinion. (BTW my name isn't on his website and doesn't have to be) If he wants to out himself that's his business but rest assured I now believe he has received national attention and one wrong move by this guy and he is toast according to what I have heard. Not only that I hope he has a lot of money because I have a feeling the lawsuits are coming and he wont know what hit him until its too late.

Regards Mike