Everyone here makes a good point. What surprises people is (and who reads TOS?) that there are forums all over the 'net where you must be a MEMBER to post or read posts/replies and the host of the said forum CAN and does control what search engines can "hit". True, that alone does not guarantee privacy, but it is a measure of privacy that for many is expected/presumed. A Google search does NOT hit those. It is assumed that DS's forums are the same. It is not, and I believe I know why.

DS needs income, even if nonprofit. They get it from advertisers. In order to get advertisers, DS must market the website. They choose to use member "data" to market the site. Looking for websites on depression with Google? What better way to market than to show the searcher the content of DS? So, they do. They disclaim with their TOS.

I, personally do not think it is very ethical. The proposed or assumed "core" of DS is to provide support to people of a very personal nature. Their marketing "model" is, in my opinion, legal and their choice, .. but I feel it is unethical. It's their site,.. so it is how they want to do it. The solution is to read the TOS, .. and I am guilty of not doing that. I now live within the terms or leave.

we know. we are aware.

I have nothing to hide. Anyone spying on me would be REALLY bored. ...really, really bored.

WV, another possibility to consider for DS making open journal entries eligible for search engine hits is other people can benefit from what we go through, learn, write about, share, or struggle with. There is one web site that I use my real name on, because it is required. It is a professional site, and I don't mind. We don't delve into our personal histories. Any other site to which I belong I have joined using a screen name. It is simplicity itself to protect yourself. You absolutely do not divulge enough personal info to make you indentifiable. [shrug] Of course, I don't fear an intrusion into my privacy, because I am pretty open about my challenges. However, people do have the right to choose disclosure for themselves. Not everyone will feel as I do. I will say that I have only noticed a couple of advertisement that I objected to--one of them advertising to Lonely Married People. I don't believe that extra marital affairs solve anything in a healthy manner. That isn't a personal judgement, just an observation or opinion.

One last point I'd like to add, I taught my daughter and my two stepsons to never, ever, Ever reveal any private information that would make them identifiable. It could so easily turn into a nightmarish situation that no one should have to deal with.

Thank you for posting this. I should try to google my username and see what comes up. Dawn

i'm with daisy....nothing exciting going on here. LOL