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There's a lot of talk going around these days inside SL about privacy issues. Here's the common rundown and GOHA's stance on it. As part of the Second Life experience we expect all members to adhere to the Community Standards and TOS of the platform, as well as our own rules of conduct while on the GOHA sims.
IP/CHAT RECORDERS
Most of the concern is around scripted items such as Redzone, which tracks people by IPs and identifies peoples' alts. Some are using it to ban peoples' alts from their land, others are using it as a business making "private detective" type venture, like to catch someone cheating on their SL spouse (yeah, go ahead and laugh, I did! lol). Linden Lab hasn't made an official call on this issue yet though one is expected. Then there's a lot of concern over third party viewers and how they collect and store your private data, especially after the Emerald incidents.
Most people know that any time you use the internet you are identified by your IP and cookies to any administrator of websites or services that you use. The problem is in the legalities of how that information is collected and used. This site gives some information on that, speed tests, and how to change your IP or use a proxy server:
http://whatismyipaddress.com/
The best thing you can do if you don't want Redzone or the other scripted items to be identifying you for privacy reasons is to turn off voice and streaming media (radio, video) when visiting places. They work by using those streams to identify you. Here is some more info on blocking devices like Redzone:
http://my.opera.com/boylane/blog/how-to-block-zf-redzone
GOHA'S STANCE
GOHA does not, and will not, use Redzone, Chat spies, remote conversation recorders, or any similar product on its sims. As a website administrator, I do not keep a record of IP or other personal information you submit through this site and that information is not used or shared with third parties. GOHA will not tolerate known use of chat spy/remote conversation loggers on its sims.
PRIVATE CONVERSATION LOGS
There's also a lot of banter about use of private conversation logs. You have probably noticed some profiles in SL that state things like, "By IM'ing me you are agreeing that I may log and distribute our private conversations." They call them disclaimers of the SL TOS/Community Standards.
The actual area of Linden Lab TOS/CS states on this issue:
Disclosure
Residents are entitled to a reasonable level of privacy with regard to their Second Life experience. Sharing personal information about a fellow Resident --including gender, religion, age, marital status, race, sexual preference, and real-world location beyond what is provided by the Resident in the First Life page of their Resident profile is a violation of that Resident's privacy.Remotely monitoring conversations, posting conversation logs, or sharing conversation logs without consent are all prohibited in Second Life and on the Second Life Forums.
If you see one of those "disclaimers" in a person's profile, be aware it doesn'tactually absolve them from anything--they will argue with you about that until blue in the face, but it is what it is--but at least it gives you a heads-up you're dealing with a potential drama queen, and to use some caution in dealing with them.
The best thing I can advise to do is probably have as few private conversations with them as possible, be aware they have no problem with breaking confidentiality and will share your private conversations freely. I don't advise muting them or confronting them on this issue, just use their disclaimers as a heads-up. All you can do is avoid talking much privately with them and AR'ing them if they do publicize your private conversations.
GOHA'S STANCE
We don't have control over how people choose to break the SL TOS, other than discouraging it, trying to set a better example, and reporting it, so just be aware and use good judgment. If you feel someone has breached confidentiality and Linden Lab TOS/CS while you are on the GOHA sims, have questions or don't know what to do, please come to me. I will try to help you work through the correct reporting process. |
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| Thank you Jack for this information. |
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| New information, if you've been a former Redzone user (had it on your land) you will probably want to change your SL password to be safe. Apparently, there was an Emerald-style hacking and private information such as SL passwords may have been farmed for and available. It could be nothing, but take a moment if you're worried about it and change your password. |
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