Post by LasVegas on Apr 24th, 2010 at 12:26pm
A word of caution about Facebook and other social networking groups that require you to use your full name opposed to a website such as here at START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to 
or 
END PRINTPAGE where you can remain anonymous providing you choose to self create a handle/screen name.
Here is the word of caution...your postings/replies have no privacy from being publicly exposed all over the internet. Read the following excerpt from a Facebook Help Center question/answer....
"Why is content I post on the site getting indexed by search engines?
When users post content to an open forum on the site (i.e., Facebook Pages, the "Questions and Answers from Users" section of the Help Center, "Open" Groups), this material may also be indexed by search engines.
Unfortunately, Facebook does not have control over content that has already been indexed and cached in search engines. If you no longer wish for this content to appear in search engine results, please delete it from the forum to which you originally posted it. Doing so will render the link that appears in search engine results invalid. However, this information may still be saved in the search engine’s cache or search memory."
Pretty sad that we do not have the privacy we thought we did. This concept applies for us here at CH.com also. If you or somebody post your full name within a thread, a search engine such as Google will index and cache it into memory. For how long, who knows? Maybe forever. Got nothing to hide and not concerned? That's how I felt too as I live a normal law abiding family life, however here is my concern that may also apply to YOU.
Several years ago, I got a new job and joined the company offered PPO. The new health insurance provider declined my coverage of Cluster Headaches due to it being a pre-existing condition. They stated I would have to wait at least 3 years without reported incidents before it would be covered. During those three years I prayed and prayed I would not go into cycle as it could get very expensive with required treatment. Unfortunately I did go into cycle, but knowing I would not have treating coverage, I paid cash for meds in fear of the cycle being noted on my medical insurance record. This was obviously very dangerous as I felt threatened by the insurance company and wanted the coverage when the 3 years was up. So I had to sneak across to Mexico and buy my transitional, preventative and abortive meds without a required prescription. Then self medicate which is terribly dangerous. I feared if I went to a local doctor my medical record might be found by the insurance company, as it is required for all doctors to record each prescription they write. Now it is past the 3 years stipulation without any CH's noted and coverage is available. One small glitch....internet privacy!
As for the private postings we think are ok to do on the internet, it might be worth using an anonymous name when posting as it would be too easy for insurance companies, employers, etc to enter your name, click and read all about your very personal CH's, etc. without ever having you fill out a HIPPA release or whatever that form is called that is required by new insurance providers to check on a patients history designed to determine rates, risk, pre-existing conditions, etc.
Just something to think about when using your name on the internet
or END PRINTPAGE where you can remain anonymous providing you choose to self create a handle/screen name.Here is the word of caution...your postings/replies have no privacy from being publicly exposed all over the internet. Read the following excerpt from a Facebook Help Center question/answer....
"Why is content I post on the site getting indexed by search engines?
When users post content to an open forum on the site (i.e., Facebook Pages, the "Questions and Answers from Users" section of the Help Center, "Open" Groups), this material may also be indexed by search engines.
Unfortunately, Facebook does not have control over content that has already been indexed and cached in search engines. If you no longer wish for this content to appear in search engine results, please delete it from the forum to which you originally posted it. Doing so will render the link that appears in search engine results invalid. However, this information may still be saved in the search engine’s cache or search memory."
Pretty sad that we do not have the privacy we thought we did. This concept applies for us here at CH.com also. If you or somebody post your full name within a thread, a search engine such as Google will index and cache it into memory. For how long, who knows? Maybe forever. Got nothing to hide and not concerned? That's how I felt too as I live a normal law abiding family life, however here is my concern that may also apply to YOU.
Several years ago, I got a new job and joined the company offered PPO. The new health insurance provider declined my coverage of Cluster Headaches due to it being a pre-existing condition. They stated I would have to wait at least 3 years without reported incidents before it would be covered. During those three years I prayed and prayed I would not go into cycle as it could get very expensive with required treatment. Unfortunately I did go into cycle, but knowing I would not have treating coverage, I paid cash for meds in fear of the cycle being noted on my medical insurance record. This was obviously very dangerous as I felt threatened by the insurance company and wanted the coverage when the 3 years was up. So I had to sneak across to Mexico and buy my transitional, preventative and abortive meds without a required prescription. Then self medicate which is terribly dangerous. I feared if I went to a local doctor my medical record might be found by the insurance company, as it is required for all doctors to record each prescription they write. Now it is past the 3 years stipulation without any CH's noted and coverage is available. One small glitch....internet privacy!
As for the private postings we think are ok to do on the internet, it might be worth using an anonymous name when posting as it would be too easy for insurance companies, employers, etc to enter your name, click and read all about your very personal CH's, etc. without ever having you fill out a HIPPA release or whatever that form is called that is required by new insurance providers to check on a patients history designed to determine rates, risk, pre-existing conditions, etc.
Just something to think about when using your name on the internet