Story Publication Privacy Concerns

[SimpleEnigma]

Hello. I am a new member and thinking about publishing some story lines I've written over the years. I am an intensely private person and visible in the community and am concerned about what type of privacy issues I may be signing up for if I do go through with publishing some of these. Every topic I plan on writing about is legal and, some might say, quite tame by some standards (think consenting husband and wife), so I'm not necessarily concerned about that. I am, however, very concerned about someone making the connection between the stories and my actual identity. And no, there will not be any references in the story that could identify me.

Of course, I understand my profile here as the author will be associated with stories, but I'm assuming no one will have a way to see my email address? I am also concerned over a portion of Literotica's guidelines that state "You grant Literotica the right to use all legal means available to protect your published work from unauthorized use by other parties." This is rather worrisome to me as I assume I'd be personally contacted - and REQUIRED - to help defend a published work. I would NOT want ANYONE contacting me for this reason or anything else that might require me to reveal my actual identity beyond what I've supplied in my new Literotica account. If that has the potential of happening, then I'd rather just walk away.

Just wanted to get other authors take on this, please. Is my privacy concern overblown? Does anyone else see an issue with the guideline that Literotica will use all legal means - which means getting lawyers and outside personnel involved - to protect your work? Seems to me somewhere along the line there one's true identity would need to be revealed for legal reasons, and that is a deal killer for me. I honestly just want to share my tales and be done with it, no muss, no fuss.

Thanks

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I too have concerns over privacy. Not once has this site infringed on my privacy and I’ve not heard tales of others who were, either. YMMV, but I think you are safe. Among other things, nobody, not even the site owners, have your real name or any details you don’t willing provide. If you are still worried, use a VPN and a Lit-specific email address.

 

[oggbashan]

If you post anywhere on the internet, including the post you made to start this thread you are jeopardising your privacy.

If you are worried - don't.

As for Literotica helping to defend your copyright? They don't and can't. All you can do is issue a DMCA notice which requires your real name and contact details. Even that won't work with most domains, many of which are registered in countries that don't give a fuck about copyright.

Once a story (or post) is made anywhere including Literotica, it can and probably will be stolen and even if you go through the hurdles to register your copyright, no court will back you. You have posted for free so have sustained no loss.

 

[KeithD]

Use an entirely different and unrelated e-mail account for your writing here--even a separate e-mail service. And it's highly doubtful, from a historical perspective, that Literotica will do anything to protect your material beyond the sticky they provide at the top of the discussion section on what you can try to do yourself. When you post stories to Literotica you've legally declared their monetary worth at zero and they can easily be stolen and reposted elsewhere or sold at Amazon with very little chance of catching up with them and getting them taken down.

 

[vanmyers86]

I too have concerns over privacy. Not once has this site infringed on my privacy and I’ve not heard tales of others who were, either. YMMV, but I think you are safe. Among other things, nobody, not even the site owners, have your real name or any details you don’t willing provide. If you are still worried, use a VPN and a Lit-specific email address.

This is spot on. Many writers have email accounts specifically set up to handle their accounts here, and you choose exactly what to reveal about yourself.

My advice: Relax and enjoy the ride.

 

[lovecraft68]

Something to keep in mind. If anyone sends you private feedback including an e-mail to reply to, don't reply because in case you don't know that reply will come from your e-mail, not lit's feedback feature that there's came to you through.

That's no big deal if you created an e-mail just for here, but if you're using a personal one, don't reply.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

I didn't see anything that required you to assist in legal proceedings. I don't see how they could possibly enforce it anyway. As TP says, they don't know who you are.

There have been problems with people stealing stories from Lit and selling them as their own. I think that's the sort of situation that language addresses. However, from what I've seen from posts by others when the plagiarism issue is discussed, it's been a very long time (if ever - depends on who you ask) since the site took any action to try to protect someone's copyright.

All Lit has in terms of identifying information is your email address and your IP address. I assume you're using an anonymous email address. That means the only information traceable to you is your IP address. Lit would have to get a subpoena to force your internet provider to disclose the identity associated with the IP address.

No matter how anonymous a system is, there are always conceivable ways it can be hacked or used nefariously. I don't think anyone could ever guarantee permanent anonymity with 100 percent certainty. All I can tell you is that I'm not concerned. But I'm just another anonymous person, too.

I'm more concerned about being identified by someone familiar with my writing style than I am by the site owners. But, if it's someone who knows me anyway, what are they going to do, run around telling people I write naughty stories with no proof?

 

[KeithD]

For the record, someone on Lit. figured out who I really was a couple of years ago from the content of my stories and correctly identified me in an e-mail, not taking it further other than saying they'd be in my town and suggesting we meet, so be aware of how much of you you put into the stories you post on the Internet.

 

[lovecraft68]

I didn't see anything that required you to assist in legal proceedings. I don't see how they could possibly enforce it anyway. As TP says, they don't know who you are.

There have been problems with people stealing stories from Lit and selling them as their own. I think that's the sort of situation that language addresses. However, from what I've seen from posts by others when the plagiarism issue is discussed, it's been a very long time (if ever - depends on who you ask) since the site took any action to try to protect someone's copyright.

All Lit has in terms of identifying information is your email address and your IP address. I assume you're using an anonymous email address. That means the only information traceable to you is your IP address. Lit would have to get a subpoena to force your internet provider to disclose the identity associated with the IP address.

No matter how anonymous a system is, there are always conceivable ways it can be hacked or used nefariously. I don't think anyone could ever guarantee permanent anonymity with 100 percent certainty. All I can tell you is that I'm not concerned. But I'm just another anonymous person, too.

I'm more concerned about being identified by someone familiar with my writing style than I am by the site owners. But, if it's someone who knows me anyway, what are they going to do, run around telling people I write naughty stories with no proof?

I think there is always a risk if you use some personal experiences in a story, especially actual locations. Like you said, what's the worse that happens? They know you write smut? Plus, as you said, they'd have to be able to have a real tie between you and your work.

But what I can imagine as one of the hazards of someone really knowing its you is if you told a lot of lies and made yourself out to be things you're not. That could be more embarrassing than just you write dirty stories. It would make you look pretty sad.

 

[KeithD]

Of course, if someone on Lit. identified the real you from the stories you posted on Lit., we'd be talking about real things you've done and experiences you had, not lies.

(Not too subtle, LC.)

 

[SimonDoom]

To echo what others have said, I think if you are truly concerned then the privacy risk is substantially within your control and you can take steps to minimize risk:

1. Use a separate email specifically for this site.

2. Only use your Literotica pseudonym.

3. Don't reveal information about yourself in your profile or in your posts to the Literotica bulletin boards that might aid people in identifying you.

4. Don't tell people you know you write for Literotica.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

To echo what others have said, I think if you are truly concerned then the privacy risk is substantially within your control and you can take steps to minimize risk:

1. Use a separate email specifically for this site.

2. Only use your Literotica pseudonym.

3. Don't reveal information about yourself in your profile or in your posts to the Literotica bulletin boards that might aid people in identifying you.

4. Don't tell people you know you write for Literotica.

You mean I should take it off my LinkedIn?

 

[SimonDoom]

You mean I should take it off my LinkedIn?

I guess it depends on what sort of employment you are seeking!

 

[lovecraft68]

You mean I should take it off my LinkedIn?

That reminds me...mine still has my old job on it. Then again they set it up for me, I don't need it.

When I started doing the cons with my horror novels five years ago I've had three people tie me to lit. One was another lit author who lives in RI, I think she still posts here and there, I met her at Terror Con in 2017.

Another recalled the title "Abigail" from the original version that was on here before I pulled it.

The only weird one, was last years RI comic con. they also remembered Abigail as an e-book originally published under my female pen name. So he looks at my wife and asks if she's the author, so I said no and admitted its a female pen name.

He had no issue with that, but then goes on to tell me all the e-books he bought from that name...going on about Forced to Take my Mother, and Mom's all tied up and all the bondage/Taboo crossovers I've done.

he was a nice guy and bought three paperbacks, but it was odd to here that stuff talked about in person, I was hoping no one else came over.

My wife thinks he still thinks she wrote the books and I was covering...especially seeing its her cropped out face in that names profile. Whatever, he bought books.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

That reminds me...mine still has my old job on it. Then again they set it up for me, I don't need it.

When I started doing the cons with my horror novels five years ago I've had three people tie me to lit. One was another lit author who lives in RI, I think she still posts here and there, I met her at Terror Con in 2017.

Another recalled the title "Abigail" from the original version that was on here before I pulled it.

The only weird one, was last years RI comic con. they also remembered Abigail as an e-book originally published under my female pen name. So he looks at my wife and asks if she's the author, so I said no and admitted its a female pen name.

He had no issue with that, but then goes on to tell me all the e-books he bought from that name...going on about Forced to Take my Mother, and Mom's all tied up and all the bondage/Taboo crossovers I've done.

he was a nice guy and bought three paperbacks, but it was odd to here that stuff talked about in person, I was hoping no one else came over.

My wife thinks he still thinks she wrote the books and I was covering...especially seeing its her cropped out face in that names profile. Whatever, he bought books.

If you normally keep the two worlds separate in your head, it would be pretty weird to have them coming together. Just be glad your wife already knew about al of your worlds!

 

[lovecraft68]

If you normally keep the two worlds separate in your head, it would be pretty weird to have them coming together. Just be glad your wife already knew about al of your worlds!

Just lucky she hasn't found all the gay male and bi novels that I claim really happened to me. I'd have some explaining to do.

The crossing dressing ones she knows about though...I'm good there.

 

[Voboy]

OP, your concerns are probably echoed by about 70% of the people writing here, at least. Most of the solutions given above will help you.

1. Set up an email account you'll use only here.
2. Invent fake stores, websites, street names, and restaurants to go along with your fake characters.
3. If you must use a RL place as your setting, make sure it's a place you don't live and, preferably, have never been.
4. Watch what you put in your Sig file and into the posts you make on this subforum.

You'll be fine. Welcome.

 

[KeithD]

OP, your concerns are probably echoed by about 70% of the people writing here, at least. Most of the solutions given above will help you.

1. Set up an email account you'll use only here.
2. Invent fake stores, websites, street names, and restaurants to go along with your fake characters.
3. If you must use a RL place as your setting, make sure it's a place you don't live and, preferably, have never been.
4. Watch what you put in your Sig file and into the posts you make on this subforum.

You'll be fine. Welcome.

And make sure you don't have another Lit. poster running behind you with his nose up your ass and stalking you for years.

 

[Emirus]

Two lives

I’ve got several e-mail accounts only I know about all with the same password which no one in my real life would ever be able to guess.

I also have two lives. My real one with family, friends and acquaintances and my alter/ego life only I know exists. There are autobiographical elements in some of my stories but they all relate to my alter/ego. As for my stories being stolen etc if someone thinks they’re good enough to steal that’s their misfortune.

It’s up to you whether you are foolish enough to put things from your real life that can identify you in your stories or in your profile. If in doubt do what many do. Don’t give any information at all.

If you are still in doubt leave the site. Which would be a shame because, although it has faults, it is a lot of fun.

 

[lovecraft68]

OP, your concerns are probably echoed by about 70% of the people writing here, at least. Most of the solutions given above will help you.

1. Set up an email account you'll use only here.
2. Invent fake stores, websites, street names, and restaurants to go along with your fake characters.
3. If you must use a RL place as your setting, make sure it's a place you don't live and, preferably, have never been.
4. Watch what you put in your Sig file and into the posts you make on this subforum.

You'll be fine. Welcome.

Good points, especially today with google and other search engines. If you said you graduated from a certain HS in a certain year and was president of whatever, someone can easily get that information, and if its someone who thinks they know you that can be enough.

Google, wikipedia, linkd all social media given a few breadcrumbs a trail can be followed.

Conversely if one were to tell a bunch of tall tales, those sites and other more specific ones can prove by omission that said tall tales are just that. Granted you'd already need some information or a source to go by, but its scary what people can find out with a little guidance.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I think there is always a risk if you use some personal experiences in a story, especially actual locations. Like you said, what's the worse that happens? They know you write smut? Plus, as you said, they'd have to be able to have a real tie between you and your work.

But what I can imagine as one of the hazards of someone really knowing its you is if you told a lot of lies and made yourself out to be things you're not. That could be more embarrassing than just you write dirty stories. It would make you look pretty sad.

Maybe I'm a bit too nonchalant, but I assume that anyone I know would have to first find the site (and another one I'm on) and then figure out that I'm even on there. I'm not at a job or school right now, and I'm hardly active in social media, so I feel pretty secure.

Perhaps if someone was really determined (a private investigator? The FBI?) they could crack it, but well . . . Maybe if I saw that Will Smith movie Enemy of the State I'd be less cocky.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Just wanted to get other authors take on this, please. Is my privacy concern overblown? Does anyone else see an issue with the guideline that Literotica will use all legal means - which means getting lawyers and outside personnel involved - to protect your work? Seems to me somewhere along the line there one's true identity would need to be revealed for legal reasons, and that is a deal killer for me. I honestly just want to share my tales and be done with it, no muss, no fuss.

Yes, you're over-thinking this; no, Literotica isn't going to unpack your privacy - there's no need for them to pursue your true identity. Your email address is only given out if you send feedback and you've said it's okay to reply - and you've ticked the email box.

Otherwise, you're as anonymous as the next person, and it's down to you determine how much truth you disclose in stories. If you're concerned, vague it up: never name people or places explicitly, don't use street names that are in your town. Or if you do, mix it up so readers never know.

Besides, many readers seem to think fantasy stories are real and true stories are completely made up, so who's going to know (or care) anyway?

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

Maybe I'm a bit too nonchalant, but I assume that anyone I know would have to first find the site (and another one I'm on) and then figure out that I'm even on there. I'm not at a job or school right now, and I'm hardly active in social media, so I feel pretty secure.

Perhaps if someone was really determined (a private investigator? The FBI?) they could crack it, but well . . . Maybe if I saw that Will Smith movie Enemy of the State I'd be less cocky.

I did some research on a couple of unusual topics, at least one of which was likely to get some federal snooping in the aftermath of 9/11. I always enjoyed the thought of some government snoop being burdened with every boring thing I did online. Serves them right.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Actually, there is one time the site actually asks for your real name and address, that being if you win a contest prize and they want to mail you a cheque. Even then you can say no, of course.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Hello. I am a new member and thinking about publishing some story lines I've written over the years. I am an intensely private person and visible in the community and am concerned about what type of privacy issues I may be signing up for if I do go through with publishing some of these. Every topic I plan on writing about is legal and, some might say, quite tame by some standards (think consenting husband and wife), so I'm not necessarily concerned about that. I am, however, very concerned about someone making the connection between the stories and my actual identity. And no, there will not be any references in the story that could identify me.

Of course, I understand my profile here as the author will be associated with stories, but I'm assuming no one will have a way to see my email address? I am also concerned over a portion of Literotica's guidelines that state "You grant Literotica the right to use all legal means available to protect your published work from unauthorized use by other parties." This is rather worrisome to me as I assume I'd be personally contacted - and REQUIRED - to help defend a published work. I would NOT want ANYONE contacting me for this reason or anything else that might require me to reveal my actual identity beyond what I've supplied in my new Literotica account. If that has the potential of happening, then I'd rather just walk away.

Just wanted to get other authors take on this, please. Is my privacy concern overblown? Does anyone else see an issue with the guideline that Literotica will use all legal means - which means getting lawyers and outside personnel involved - to protect your work? Seems to me somewhere along the line there one's true identity would need to be revealed for legal reasons, and that is a deal killer for me. I honestly just want to share my tales and be done with it, no muss, no fuss.

Thanks

It's helpful to ask: what is my threat model? There are a lot of different threats to privacy, with different risks and countermeasures involved.

Some examples:

- Spontaneous recognition by a reader: somebody you know IRL happens to read Literotica, comes across your stories, and recognises you through story details. A typical Literotica story might get a few tens of thousands of reads (depending on what exactly counts as "views") and people who have similar interests in one sphere often have similar interests in another, so it's not far-fetched that somebody who knows you could end up reading one of your stories. Obvious mitigation: change names, places, details in your story so it's not so recognisable.

- Stalker starting from the Literotica side: somebody reads your stories or forum posts and wants to find out who you are. They are likely to use biographical info from your profile (so leave that blank or fib about it) and anything you disclose in forum posts etc. A serious stalker might also start up conversations via the feedback portal, in hopes of getting your email address or just getting you to disclose more info about yourself. If they can get you to visit a website of their creation, they can get your IP address, unless you're masking it with something like a VPN. If you're using the same nickname across multiple sites, that's an obvious way for them to search for you.

It's worth making some decisions about what you will and won't disclose here, and then sticking to them. Otherwise, giving away one bit of info at a time, it's easy to lose track of just how much is out there. For example, I've decided that I will mention my general location (Melbourne) but not my occupation, because the combination of those two would make me a lot easier to identify. Things like birthdays and exact ages make you much more identifiable, so be especially careful with these.

- Stalker starting from the RL side (disgruntled ex etc.): watch things like your browser privacy settings. If you're really concerned, look into full-disk encryption so that even if somebody swipes your hard drive they can't read what's on it. You'll have to decide for yourself how much you're comfortable disclosing to friends and family about your writing habits.

As others have suggested, a separate email address is a good idea, but be wary of leakage - even something like setting your regular email as a recovery or forwarding address for your erotica email can result in unintended connections. I made that mistake when I first set up a gmail account for this site. When family members started emailing my regular (non-gmail) account from their gmail accounts, it helpfully filled in the name that I used on my Literotica account, so they started asking me "Why does Google think your name is B. T.?" And then my partner's family members started sending friend invites to my Literotica gmail account. So I would recommend giving your erotica account a name that isn't easily linkable either to your RL identity or to your erotica.

Use strong passwords on everything. A password manager like LastPass will help with this.

I posted about this recently on another forum, but: technology is advancing to the point where you can feed in a photo of somebody's face and a search engine will find other photos of people with similar faces. In five years' time that technology will be better, and your photos will probably still be out there. Be really careful with what photos you post, and watch out for background details - e.g. any time I post a photo of my cat here, I ensure that the details on her tags aren't readable, and I watch out for things like family photos.

- Government agencies: if the US government (or indeed the Russian, Chinese, Israeli, or Iranian governments, to name but a few) really want to identify you, they probably will. The combination of legal powers and technological capability is very powerful. Fortunately most of us aren't interesting enough to merit that kind of attention.