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So, right on the heels of my rant about disclosing STD status, I see an article about a website taking "disclosure" way too far.
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=31644&z=3
The website, which I won't link to because I don't want to give them any traffic, allows people to list *other people's STD status* on a public website.
Now, first I want to say that if people were honest about their STD status, then people wouldn't feel so violated as to act out in revenge by listing personal information publicly.
But understandable feelings of violation aside, this just isn't right.
First of all, it's a violation of privacy, and the First Amendment does not cover public disclosure of private medical records.
Second of all, there's no proof necessary. Anyone can list anyone else. The burden of proof is totally on the person who gets accused. Which, of course, requires revealing private medical information.
There is a whole section just on complaints levied against this website, filled with stuff like "that was listed by my ex-girlfriend, I don't have an STD!" and "my husband doesn't have an STD, that complaint was made by an angry co-worker".
I often post the usernames and correspondences of people who are arschfickers and who seek me out to harass me. But I do *not* post their real names, home addresses, or private medical records. I have maintained the confidences of former partners even after bad breakups because it's the right thing to do.
Clearly, my heart goes out to anyone who has ever been suckered, especially when it involves things like illnesses. It's a terrible, terrible thing to have been infected without making the choice to be exposed. But posting someone's medical information on a public website is not the answer. And accusing someone of an STD when they don't have one out of some other sense of revenge is truly reprehensible.
And don't forget, court documents are a matter of public record. If your sense of violation really requires vengence, go for a lawsuit instead.
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=31644&z=3
The website, which I won't link to because I don't want to give them any traffic, allows people to list *other people's STD status* on a public website.
Now, first I want to say that if people were honest about their STD status, then people wouldn't feel so violated as to act out in revenge by listing personal information publicly.
But understandable feelings of violation aside, this just isn't right.
First of all, it's a violation of privacy, and the First Amendment does not cover public disclosure of private medical records.
Second of all, there's no proof necessary. Anyone can list anyone else. The burden of proof is totally on the person who gets accused. Which, of course, requires revealing private medical information.
There is a whole section just on complaints levied against this website, filled with stuff like "that was listed by my ex-girlfriend, I don't have an STD!" and "my husband doesn't have an STD, that complaint was made by an angry co-worker".
I often post the usernames and correspondences of people who are arschfickers and who seek me out to harass me. But I do *not* post their real names, home addresses, or private medical records. I have maintained the confidences of former partners even after bad breakups because it's the right thing to do.
Clearly, my heart goes out to anyone who has ever been suckered, especially when it involves things like illnesses. It's a terrible, terrible thing to have been infected without making the choice to be exposed. But posting someone's medical information on a public website is not the answer. And accusing someone of an STD when they don't have one out of some other sense of revenge is truly reprehensible.
And don't forget, court documents are a matter of public record. If your sense of violation really requires vengence, go for a lawsuit instead.
