Have you ever been identified on MN?

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

If so, how did you feel about it and what was the outcome? Did you do anything about it?

I've read a few threads recently which could be very outing when combined with information from other threads. Of course, some people don't mind, but others might not have thought about this as a possibility.

I joined MN about 19 years ago and found it addictive (long days at work, no Netflix or Amazon Prime, young children etc )
I didn't share lots of personal info but one day a Mum came up to me in the school playground and asked if I was (my first username) on MN. I was so flustered I couldn't deny it. Apparently I had mentioned something specific relating to the school. She then searched on my posting history as she had as she said 'a few suspects' and eliminated them one by one until I was the most likely.
It felt really uncomfortable, and I had been open on some threads about a few things I wouldn't want someone I didn't know well to know about. She even mentioned something in front of other people another time. When I asked her not to repeat things she'd read on MN, she said 'oops thought you'd told me about that' (still wouldn't have appreciated her passing it on).

Of course I name changed, and have changed certain details in threads or decline to provide potentially outing information (not always helpful for soliciting answers to threads).

It still has an impact on my posting style and habits so many years on. As said, I know some people won't care but so many people provide a lot of identifying info, I thought it worth people thinking about.

@seasonalsnowflake

Yes SIL found out I was on here and went to a lot of effort, enrolling her work colleagues on the task to track me down. I'd posted a lot of personal stuff in relationships about her cheating brother (my DH). I admittedly felt very stupid for posting about it on an open forum. I name change all the time now and throw random false facts into what I write. Really made the point of just how easy it is for someone to find you if they want to.

You're not stupid she enlisted colleagues to research you! Stalker behaviour xx

She really needs to get her own life but that doesn't help you. Wow. Glad you changed the details but I'd keep away from her.

This was not long after I joined MN 19 or so years ago and I no longer see her (we weren't close anyway, she was a school Mum, once children left that school didn't see her again other than bumping into her at social events/in pubs etc).
We were much more naive about the potential evils of social back then, so was less on guard. but it seems from some of the posts I've seen recently that people still post I do blissfully unaware of how identifying it is.
Ironically I'm just thinking that I've given enough info away in this thread alone for said woman to have an idea who I am if she's still on MN and reads this!

I’ve been on here for many many many years. I think back then posters probably were more identifiable as a lot of identifiable information was put in posts. Probably less so now.
If I have been recognised, then no one has said. I do change names for that reason tbh.
I recognise 2 people on here. I am friendly with them both irl. I wouldn’t say anything to either. One tends to hang out on house keeping, cooking, cleaning type threads; her house is beautiful and immaculate, and the other does post about more inflammatory subjects. Well, they would be inflammatory if the subject (person) found out.

They were obvious to me as the details they put were specific enough for me to realise who they are.

@Googleboxfan

How can I name change on here?

Go to my mumsnet (in the top right of the screen), you might need to put your password in again, you should then be on the settings page and it’s fairly clear from there what to do as the first thing you should see is ‘user name’.

Just came across this thread whilst looking for another past thread (the aim of searching for “identified” as a key word was about dyslexia but needless to say - I have got stuck down the rabbit warren that is mumsnet!)

I was “identified” last night. And it was brought up as a “I think you’re being dishonest with me” approach.

Not a nice feeling. Added to which, if we are all honest, we sometimes exaggerate / bend reality a bit on anonymous chat rooms in order to fit our argument or to ask a question but not want to give too much identifying detail so you distort the fact a bit. However the person “identifying” you doesn’t know that.

I don’t have the time or inclination to trawl through my threads to tell the identifier what is right and what has been distorted. I am just going to own it all. I too have identified this Person and others on mumsnet. I fully admit that I have searched their username for their threads and sometimes I have been shocked or disturbed by what I’ve read, but I would never raise what had been written,as it feels like reading their diary and then quoting from it, plus, and goes back to my original point - I have taken a lot of what they say quite lightly because I recognise this is an anonymous chat forum and people liable to be loose with the truth!

People will either recognise someone and not search. Either disinterest or genuinely a very good person - better than me
Or
The will succumb to nosiness and search and read. Then they will put to back of mind and never raise, recognising it’s an anonymous forum and respect the anonymity
Or
They will raise information they have found

Unless I came across a friend that was saying they were seriously considering suicide or a child’s safety was somehow involved - then I would personally never raise.

I’m not going to name change. Just going to crack on!

I was pm'd by someone just recently who clearly thought they knew me and I didn't know what the hell they were on about!