Emails when someone posts on a thread - data protection issue

[jumblefun2]

As you can see I've registered again after deregistering to test something out.

Why do I get emails when someone posts on a thread I'm on when I never actually consented to that as part of the sign up process?

I was sure I hadn't and I just deleted and re-registered and I DEFINITELY didn't consent.

Is an opt-out thing I think.

Exactly my point. You can't have an opt out under GDPR. What legal basis are you using to send those HQ?

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I'd really like an answer HQ please :)

Do you not consent to being sent emails in general by MNHQ?

Soup. You can't, is my understanding. You have to consent specifically to each instance - you have to have what they call granular consent. I didn't tick any box to consent to anything being sent.

Sigh, even if you are right it's daft. When I eat in a restaurant I don't have to tell them I want a spoon on my table.

I'm also getting emails when I get @'d on a thread and I'm not sure I agreed to that either.

Any chance of a response?

Hi there everyone, sorry for the delay in replying. We're just looking into this at the moment and we'll get back to you when we have some more information.

I've just had an online chat with the ICO that was very illuminating.

Do you append IP address anywhere in your back office systems to the posts that people put on the forum?

Hi Jumblefun2

Thanks for this and sorry that it's taken a while to get back to you.

We made a lot of changes for GDPR (summarised over here) but since these notifications are a function of the forums, rather than marketing communications, it wasn't included in the work we did at that point. We're going to look into this now and report back asap - in the meantime you can turn it off by going to the top of your 'Threads I'm Watching' page (which includes threads you've posted on by default) and turning the function off.

You can stop receiving notifications when a MNer tags you by going to 'customise settings' - you can navigate there by going to the dropdown menu next to 'Talk' on any Talk page.

Thanks again - we'll get back to you on this soon.

MNHQ

Thanks for that Kate - I know I can turn them off. I chatted to the ICO and their view was that because it was an email I was receiving and because you could identify me in the background by both email address and by IP address, both of which are considered to be personal data, that it fell within the scope of the GDPR.

Thanks for the info Jumblefun - v useful. We'll get back soon when we've had a proper look.

Kate I've reported one of my posts - I'd like to have a chat off the boards please.

And this is exactly why GDPR is fucking ridiculous.

It’s a sad reflection of the snowflake society we unfortunately live in where people want consent for emails.

^ yup people need to get a grip

Consent is not the only legitimate basis for processing.

I know.

There are six legitimate bases for processing.

I think this is pretty applicable here.

"It’s a sad reflection of the snowflake society we unfortunately live in where people want consent for emails"

Genuinely baffled by this. Why is it a bad thing to have legal agreement for emails?

I didn't make the law. It is what it is. I'd rather see MN become compliant than be reported for non-compliance.

Don’t know why people are being rude to the OP. She’s making a valid point and GDPR rules protect the consumer/ customer. The op is right to raise a potential breach with HQ.

And how much would you all be relying on that law for Jeffreygate or Emmagate?

It's the predecessor to GDPR, the DPA, that Emma broke when she took data from MN without permission and published it all over twitter.