The original version of this thread has been hidden because, despite my request that users not post specifics about the incident, people went ahead and did so anyway. Do NOT ask for or post such details on the SDMB; all such posts/threads will be removed. Furthermore, do not post further comments on whether TubaDiva’s suspension was appropriate; such discussions invariably prompt someone to rehash the specifics, which we are trying to avoid. We are aware some people feel the punishment was insufficient.
We’d like to comment about the fracas that erupted recently between an SDMB user and TubaDiva, an SDMB administrator.
The facts:
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In a thread about registered sex offenders, a user stated that he himself was a registered sex offender. After the discussion had continued for a time, TubaDiva banned him, not for his statements in the thread but for another matter, then closed the thread, saying that Straight Dope/Chicago Reader privacy policy prevented her from saying why.
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The user opened a thread on LiveJournal complaining about having been banned from the SDMB. Learning of this, TubaDiva posted a message in the LJ thread stating that the SDMB/Reader privacy policy did not apply to her postings in other venues. In the same thread she posted (a) a link to the page about the user in the publicly-accessible California sex offender database providing his real name, contact information, and photo; and (b) an allegation about the user related to his sex offender status. An uproar ensued on both LJ and the SDMB, with many claiming that TubaDiva had violated the SDMB’s privacy policy, which states in part, “Chicago Reader, Inc. respects your privacy and will never release any personal information about you without your consent.”
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Hearing of the matter on Monday (the incident had happened over a weekend), Reader management ordered all SDMB threads associated with the matter hidden and instructed TubaDiva to do or say nothing more about the matter pending review.
The review having been completed, Reader management has taken the following steps:
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TubaDiva’s posting of personal information about the user on LiveJournal constituted a serious violation of SDMB/Reader privacy policy. Although the information about the user, including his real name, was obtained through publicly-available sources, our privacy policy draws no distinction with respect to where the personal information originated. Accordingly, we’ve suspended Tuba as an SDMB administrator for 30 days and revoked her posting privileges for a like period.
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We have apologized to the user for disclosing his personal information. His banning is still in effect and we’ve taken appropriate steps to deal with the issue that prompted it.
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We have decided to formalize the relationship between the Reader and SDMB online staff. This will involve putting more things in writing and in particular establishing a written agreement with staff regarding confidentiality and conduct.
Reader management wishes to assure the SDMB community that we take our users’ privacy seriously. To clarify, we won’t disclose personal information about you to any outside party in any manner without your consent, unless we believe we are legally obligated to do so. We believe the breach in this instance was an aberration and that the steps above will prevent a recurrence. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.