[Charles Conway]

OK, you found the one press release in which I used the word expert. Congratulations.

Perhaps on the issue of privacy we ought to throw the question out to the forum.

Ladies and gentlemen.

As you browse these forums, information is being logged about the device you are using, the software installed on that device, the Internet Service Provider you use and, in the event that you use a mobile to browse, the model of mobile phone you use and your network provider.

Today, Rob has chosen to post some of this information publicly and without my consent. The question therefore is this.

Do you expect the websites you use to keep the information they hold about
you private and secure (unless compelled to reveal it to law enforcement) or is it fair game for publication?

[Charles Conway]

Rob, you are treading a dangerous path as far as the privacy of your members is concerned. That I choose to log in via my mobile phone is neither unusual nor indicative that I am attempting to hide something, as you appear to be intent upon implying.

Nor is it the business of an open forum such as this which users share an ISP or what email provider they choose to use to sign up. If you have concerns or doubts about the veracity of a user, that’s what private messaging is there for.

I will not be returning to the forum and will remove wrexham.com from the distribution list for future press releases. Please remove my account as you clearly have no regard for the privacy of your registered users.

[Charles Conway]

Thanks for the welcome Metalhead.

I agree that shutting down ask.fm, even if it were achievable, wouldn’t stop cyberbullying. As a society we need to send a clear message of responsibility to parents, children and website operators. Parents need to get a handle on their kids online lives, children need to understand that their actions in cyberspace have very real offline consequences and website operators have to take on board a duty of care to users, especially when targeting young people.

I was pleased to read only a few minutes ago in the Irish press that those responsible for the bullying of Ciara Pugsley and Erin Gallagher on ask.fm are about to get a knock on the door. Perhaps they will serve as a reminder that online abuse is not acceptable.

I agree that adults are just as vulnerable to cyberbullying, but most are better equipped emotionally to deal with it than teens.

[Charles Conway]

For anyone else interested, I have been working within technology based industries since 1997, and almost exclusively in the Internet safety arena since January 2010.

I have twice been shortlisted for the Nominet Internet Award for “making the internet safer” (2010 and 2011) and am a partner in Nominet’s “Know the Net” project.

I’m also the author of three books and have appeared in/on countless radio, tv and press pieces on internet safety, both locally and nationally.

In 2011 I was invited to become an associate member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety and since October 2012 I have visited some twenty five schools in and around Wrexham to deliver e safety advice to groups of parents.

I am listed on the BBC’s “expert” database and you may have seen me News at Ten last week.

btw, I don’t know who WxmMan is…

[Charles Conway]

Good afternoon

I am the consultant quoted in the OP. You’ll note I don’t say ‘expert’ as I believe that to be a subjective title to be bestowed as opposed to claimed. Rob, I would be happy to chat with you and confirm my bona fides if you’d like to give me a call. You should have my number.

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