Electronic signature required?

[RUbensBeautY]

I have a question related to this site that popped up while I was trying to access collarme.com. Can't remember it being there a year or two earlier though.

http://www.collarme.com/bdsm/o/1/v/77432/default.htm

I understand about the keeping minors out policy and I am all for it. But I have second thoughts about signing my real name when entering a website where I wish to remain anonymous. On the other hand, threatened by Federal law in every second line, I do not wish to sign with a fake name and get in trouble for it later either.

What to do? Thank you for your input.

 

[incognito989]

I'd not put my real name, I'd just put something else. Something plausible sounding. Maybe your first name, and the name of your street as your last name?

What, realistically, are they going to do if they somehow find out it's fake? I think kicking you off of the site'd be the only realistic result, if they check that info at all.

 

[SweetErika]

I use my initials or first name.

There's no way in hell I'm going to put my full name on there. If they come after me for using an abbreviated form, I'll claim I thought any of my names was acceptable.

You're right, it's a newer thing. I believe they put it up in response to a guy back East getting harmed/killed when he met a predator on CM. I've also seen people mention law enforcement might be asking questions in the forums/chat and trying to lure people into conversations with those posing as minors.

 

[NippleMuncher]

It's the internet, only honest folks use their real info anyway. The authorities are going to track you through your IP, not by your name, that is, if they have a reason to.

 

[SweetErika]

It's the internet, only honest folks use their real info anyway. The authorities are going to track you through your IP, not by your name, that is, if they have a reason to.

Well, I'm honest, but given the crackdown on privacy, personal freedoms and overall current political environment, I'm not going to put my full name down to be associated with what many consider to be "deviant/perverted" activities. I'm not completely in the closet with my kink (I openly participate in the local community, for instance), but, like many, I am careful about who I share it with.

I'm not a conspiracy nut, but for all I know, the government could be collecting the data periodically and running it against its watch lists (I'm confident I'm not on any of them, but someone else with my name could very well be). I can also see where it could come back to bite me if I apply for a government job, like a teacher, that requires a background check.

I know they WILL track me down if they really want to, but I don't see the point of making it easier for them to fuck with my life.

 

[fire_breeze]

How about using your middle name and your mother's maiden name? Technically, it's part of your 'real' name....

 

[RUbensBeautY]

My own feelings have been quite controversial about the matter. Perhaps things would have been easier if I had not canceled my old account. Ah well. I don't think I will sign up again with such an entry to pay though. At least not as long as Lit remains available without it.

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Well, I'm honest, but given the crackdown on privacy, personal freedoms and overall current political environment,

Maybe I didn't say that right ... what I meant was that crooks and scammers wouldn't think of using real information, so it doesn't do any good for a site to require it. I've joined a number of sites that "require" name, address, phone, etc, and not one lick of the info I provide is accurate, nor will it ever be. It's not that I have anything to hide, there's just no reason to require the info. If the authorities are going to come after you, they can pinpoint your location through your IP address, as can any website that you visit.

 

[SweetErika]

My own feelings have been quite controversial about the matter. Perhaps things would have been easier if I had not canceled my old account. Ah well. I don't think I will sign up again with such an entry to pay though. At least not as long as Lit remains available without it.

Thank you for your thoughts.

As long as you're logged in, you don't have to deal with that page. I keep a CollarMe tab open, and it's pretty good about remembering me when I restart my browser. Even so, I think I only see it if I've cleared my cookies, am not logged in and navigate there from scratch (e.g. when someone posts a link to their profile here).

I'm not wild about the ambiance of CM's forums, though I have learned a bit there and use the Personals side, which is WAY better than the BDSM Personals here, IMO.

 

[tystic]

Not a bad place to go and hang out!! Thanks