Keep Users Safe: Hide Names on Old Content and Photos
Asher Nightfang
I would like to suggest an improvement to user privacy in Second Life. Currently, even after blocking someone, it is still possible for them to track or identify a user through old items, Note cards. Old Calling Cards or photos that were shared in the past. This happens because blocked users can still see the user’s current username and display name on that old content and can still access their profile. Even changing a username does not prevent this, since those references continue to link back to the same profile. Blocking mainly stops direct interaction, but it does not remove access to previously shared content.
To improve user safety, I suggest the following feature:
When a user is blocked, any items, photos, or other shared content that display the blocker’s name should have that name removed or replaced with “Unknown” in the metadata. This would prevent blocked users from identifying or tracking someone through old content.
Implementing this change would give users stronger control over their privacy and provide better protection against harassment or stalking.
Log In
Spooky Mistwallow
While this is a good idea in theory, it would create a problem for the many, many people who dont want it blatantly obvious that they blocked someone.
Asher Nightfang
Spooky Mistwallow
I get that some people don’t want it to be obvious they’ve been blocked, but that’s not the priority.
Changing a name to “Unknown” or hiding metadata doesn’t automatically shout “you’re blocked.” Stuff like that happens all the time in Second Life for other reasons deleted content, privacy changes, broken items.
The main goal is protecting the user’s privacy and safety. It’s more important that blocked users can’t track or identify someone than that they might guess they were blocked.
Spooky Mistwallow
Asher Nightfang going to have to agree to disagree there. Plus, even if you change your name, it is still tied to your old account. Any manner of search for your old name will bring up the new name. This is a practicality and it should not be changed. Hiding the name only for people who have been blocked on items etc definitely is a huge clue that they've been blocked. It also does not stop them from asking a friend to search you or look at your profile. It doesnt keep them from creating an alt who isnt blocked to look at your profile. If someone is being harassed, then report it. If someone fears for their safety, report it and maybe create your own alt. This sounds cold and I dont intend it to be, but one person (or the occasional person) having a stalker should not affect every user. I want to know who created every item I have. The only way to 100% hide from someone is to start over on an account they don't know and tell no one who you are. That sucks, but that is how it is and its the simplest solution.
Timothy McGregor
The problem with this, as with previous requests to turn the name change feature into a "hide from my stalkers" feature is that the feature was never intended to serve this purpose.
You'll even find this addressed in the FAQ:
"It's best to assume that your old name is not a secret, though once changed, your new name will be displayed everywhere your old one used to be."
That's just the way it is. Every object you create will forever be associated with your UUID, and anyone examining an object that you created will always be able to see the username associated with that key. This means that when you change your name, that new name will always be visible.
I absolutely want to know who the creator is of every single item in my inventory, so that I can use that information to make decisions about said item. I would go so far as to say that I am
entitled
to know who created any and all items in my inventory, even if one of them changed their name and blocked me. I would hold the same for items out in the world that I don't own for similar reasons. Obscuring this information is not a viable path toward privacy; it creates other problems, and doing so in the specific manner suggested is almost certainly
not
trivial as another commenter has suggested, and would be inconsistent with the purpose and scope of the name change feature.Asher Nightfang
Timothy McGregor
I get that creator info is important, especially for items people own, and I agree that knowing who made something matters. That’s not what my suggestion is about.
The problem I’m trying to address is that blocking doesn’t really stop someone from keeping tabs on you. It mostly stops messages, but it doesn’t stop a blocked user from seeing your name or profile through old shared content.
For example, imagine two people who were friends years ago and shared photos, notecards, or calling cards. Later, things go bad, and one person blocks the other because of harassment. Even after the block and a username change, the blocked person could still open old content, see the current name, access the profile, and keep tracking them. In that situation, the block doesn’t really feel like it’s protecting anyone.
The feature I suggested isn’t about hiding creator info on owned items or public objects. It’s about giving people more control over their personal stuff that’s already out there. Even something simple, like showing “Unknown” or “None” instead of your name to blocked users on old content, would make blocking actually work. It would give users real privacy and peace of mind without touching creator info for legitimate purposes.
Timothy McGregor
Asher Nightfang Yeah I totally get it. I just think that trying to turn name change into a privacy function is a dead end.
Asher Nightfang
Timothy McGregor
Yeah, I get that, and I actually agree with you. I don’t think name changes should be treated as a privacy feature either.
That’s not really what I’m aiming for here. The name change part just shows where the block system falls short. Even if you never change your name, a block still doesn’t stop someone from following you through old shared content.
What I’m really talking about is access. If I block someone, I’m doing it because I don’t want them to have access to me anymore. Right now, blocking stops messages, but it doesn’t stop someone from clicking through old items or photos and ending up right back at my profile. That’s the gap I’m hoping could be addressed, separate from name changes or creator info.
Haridsam Resident
Excellent idea, and I can't imagine this would be a difficult on for LL to implement. Hard to imagine justiiable grounds for objection.
Simone Wagstaff
I like idea i sent a photo to someone forgot that i uploaded on my alt accidentally revealing name .
Wicked Nightfall
SL is stalker paradise and I had to leave due to real life threats from the owners of a club here in SL. Does LindenLabs do anything at all? Nope - it's a police matter now and believe me when I say I am pressing them charge the company for facilitating a dangerous environment without any privacy protections. Lindens don't care - they just want our money - they don't do this for the love of SL - they do it for the love of $$$ - the days where the developers were excited about are long over and it shows.