Discussion How likely could someone you know "irl" ID you based on your post history?

[Rounded Agony]

Edit: as I wrote, I'm not worried about this, it was more of an open musing to others, wondering if they've shared would allow for the to be identified by those they know! Basically - how obvious is it that you are you?

I've been thinking about this more since coming back to the site.
I've posted a lot of details about the critically shit events of my life, to the point that I'm pretty sure most of the people who currently or used to know me well since things started going to hell could probably figure out it was me, if they went to the trouble of sticking around long enough to be able to search and dig through my post history.

It would be a decent amount of work, but not especially difficult. I'm not too worried by it since at one point or another, I've told all such people about my mental state - met with varying degrees of giving a fuck.
But it does give me pause about posting intensely personal shit I've not told certain people or anyone about.

 

[bankai]

Do you think they might be a lurker or a member?

Statistically they would more far likely be a lurker because there are a far higher number of them.

Also in that case aren't some sections here private to only members with accounts like the private suicide discussion? I guess posting the more personal threads there will keep it away from the lurkers.

 

[psp3000]

-post history

-typing style

-themes and trends in usernames and profile pictures

-keeping track of times you're online and then finding out which time zone you're possibly in and then finding out which state, country, or region you're in and then trying to line it up with your irl schedule if they know you personally

-checking to see if other social media accounts use the same online times and mention similar things related to your post history along with information

-basically using any small piece of information you at the time didn't think would give it away or was that revealing or personal that would give away who you are especially your location with things such as specific/for example food either made at home or bought or popular where you are along with grocery stores (can be related back to online times to find location, especially if it's a chain that lists all possible locations on their website)

and probably some other things I cannot think of at the moment

but I would also keep to the private section(s) of the site as mentioned in the previous comment or I would not worry since the search function would not be accessible to them without an account, low post history, or as a lurker

 

[Cavalcade]

Several people I know have my username on this website, actually. Not a single one of them cared. No one among them at all reached out to me about the contents of my posting history, or, as far as I know, bothered to read anything I've shared. It's a bit grim, but it's possible it may not be as big of an issue as you're concerned about. The complete and utter indifference was a blistering wake up call. (It does, hilariously, contextualize in part, why I even joined in the first place...)

 

[Pluto]

 

[Emerita]

Im like 87% sure I know someone here irl though I don't interact with them here or otherwise. I kind of avoid them here because I feel creepy knowing (though I could be wrong) there are times I often wonder if they know it's me. But theres 2 people if they knew about this place and read certain posts of mine would know it's me because I reference something only they would know. Otherwise I think it would just be speculation and I don't really even care because I will be dead soon enough.

 

[EmptyBottle]

Not sure. Doubt they will look around here to begin with, tho mentions of 'a chat I run', and similar might be enough clues, I once had "friends with [nickname]" posted in case someone correlates typing style.. since from experience, friends sometimes develop similar typing styles over time.

I know my ^.^ and ^u^ have spread to here, discord, session messenger, sometimes on (clean) deep web chats I use, and probably elsewhere.

 

[Bowerbird]

Theres a couple of people in my circle I reckon might be able to figure out its me if they lurked on this site, found this profile and examined my post history etc, though im not sure if they know about this site, or if they would even bother trying to track me down in the first place lol. These people probably have better things to do with their life (unlike me).

I struggle with theory of mind, I feel theres really no way for me to 100% know whats truly going on in other peoples minds or what they know about me, or have found about me. But also, these people have jobs and study and more important stuff to worry about.

 

[Sergeant45]

People that know me in online spaces, maybe, then I don't care.... real life, no, and that'd be really bad if they could id me.

I recognized a few people here from other sites though funnily. But no one I know in real life.

 

[Scythe]

Irl nah, I'm pretending to be the prefect little human with no problems what so ever with everyone around me.
Online, yes, I know someone good at recognizing writing style and they know me well.

 

[Dejected 55]

If anyone I knew in real were to have any reason to be here and then see any of my posts, they would have to know it is me. I don't know if I would recognize anyone I know, however. They would have to say some pretty specific things that I know about them to be sure.

 

[TAW122]

I'd say it's a slim chance, which is assuming they are even on this platform. I don't know anyone personally who is (nor would I know - it's possible they may be on here too), and I suppose if they know some of the interests that I have, the way I type, and many other things, it wouldn't be too hard to connect the dots. This is also why I act differently IRL as opposed to be here, for that same reason. This is a safe haven for me and perhaps the only safe space for me to actually talk about the real topics that I want discussed without judgement, censorship, scrutiny, or even persecution. If the topics of CTB, death, and what not weren't taboo and society wasn't hellbent on preventing CTB at (almost) all costs, then SaSu wouldn't be necessary. However, given the reality we live in, SaSu serves a major purpose for those who are suffering, want the truth, a safe space to discuss them, and even a community where people are understood and not continually buried in silence and alone in their suffering.

 

[darksouls]

I have no social contacts
most Germans do not know sasu
they are in German forums

 

[Angst Filled Fuck Up]

They probably could, but I don't have any contacts beyond my family and gf so I don't really give a shit. Back in the day we were far more open on here too, so there's that. We even had a photo thread where I posted my pic, which in retrospect was pretty stupid but this was before the site gained any significant media attention.

 

[CatLvr]

Lol, pretty much. I am an open book -- sometimes too much so. Thing is (and there ARE advantages to being older ) I could give a shit now.

As long as you articulate clearly to ANYONE and EVERYONE asking that you "not suicidal, have no intention of hurting yourself or anyone else and feel fine, why are you asking?" there is not a lot they (the authorities included) can do. Will people lie to you to get you to drop your guard?? Why sure. You just need to be better at lying than they are. Just remember -- NO ONE is your friend when it comes to suicide, suicidal thoughts and sometimes even "philosophical discussions".

 

[noname223]

My two closest friends know my username. I don't think they ever searched for this website. I think they are scared to get into legal trouble.

I think the people in my self-help group could identify me. I don't think they ever will. I talk a lot about these people on here because sometimes I am paranoid about them. They know I visit an online forum.

In Germany this forum isn't well known. I think despite the fact I am a mass poster the likelihood is really low. Only a very few people know how intense my mental pain is. All the people in college and school never knew about my psychosis. There were rumors about a mental breakdown. But noone would care enough for an investigation. Most people don't give a fuck.

 

[LaetumCat]

I try not to reveal anything abt myself here that would be *really* indentifiable, but, I also have my typing quirks (and misspellings lol) so....MAYBE. If they knew me really well I suppose possibly. But still maybe too vague

 

[niceday]

I met someone here who looked like an acquaintance of mine. They had a similar "style," interests, story, and knowledge of English, and I know they have mental health problems. But it turned out later that it wasn't them.
As for me, it would be a miracle if anyone here is someone I know from real life or other platforms. It would be a miracle if they found this forum.