Anonymity of Bitcointalk forum members

[Btcdeybodi]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life? And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

[1714477330]

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[1714477330]

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[Mia Chloe]

To start with, if you are talking about Bitcoin transactions, you obviously don't need to meet or know the person before you can carry out a transaction. All you need is a safe medium of communication which in this case is  Bitcoin talk.
For a more clear example, when you do p2p transactions on an exchange you don't have to know the seller or buyer personally. The idea of making yourself totally anonymous on this forum is smart move however it is not a command  as you can still share some of those info. The more you surf the forum you will definitely come across members with profiles updated with the data you made mention of above.

[Plaguedeath]

Not publishing your age, location, country, real name etc doesn't mean you're anonymous, the forum tracks your IP address. Even someone publicize those thing, they can fake it.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

No, Silk Road was start in this forum, now he's in jail

If the scammer is big or popular, the administrators might handle it or they will give some information if the authority request to them.

[Hatchy]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

The answer is very simple mate. This is a public forum. for all we know, there are different kinds of person surfing the forum as we speak. some are here to learn, some are here to make money, while some are here to steal from others. Exposing your personal information makes you completely vulnerable to these criminals amongst us. You may be blackmailed or even worse traced back to your home. Satoshi during his days spoke little about him self or his real identity that's what made him untraceable up until now. you can imagine how exposed he would have been if his real identity was known.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life? And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

The admins has ways of countering such situations. But the truth is, the persons in real life can chose to go completely off the forum and if he have never disclosed a thing about his personal information, or rather links an address to a centralized body, nothing really can be done.  Most criminals, are easily caught using Centralized bodies like exchange since, you have to do the kyc upon creating of an account.

[SatoPrincess]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

Yes the Bitcointalk community likes to keep their real identities separate from their forum account. Some users do not care about their privacy and may choose to share personal information here. Though it is not advisable, there is no rule against doing so.

And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

Before you enter a trade with anyone on the forum, you should check their profile for their trust feedback. If you ignore this and get scammed by someone on the forum. The only action the community can take is to paint that account red but that’s it.

[Ruttoshi]

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

It depends, some people choose to end everything about the forum here in the forum. While some people from the forum connects with one another outside the forum base on their dealings or friendship, especially people from the same locality.

And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known

Trust mate...This forum relies on trust and that is why members here are doing their best to see that they build a good reputation for themselves.

in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

There is no way that anyone can be held responsible for scamming a forum member, because he is anonymous and in a different location. That person account will only be tagged to render it useless, but the person walks away. This is why it is advisable to do business with high rank members with good reputation, who would not want to stain his account. However, there was a cold key scam was took place here in the forum from a reputable member, and all those he scam could not do anything.

[ABCbits]

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

No, i've seen few uses reveals their identity. Meetups board also exist, although these days it's used to promote meetups with commercial/advertising aspect.

And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

That is why using escrow is recommended. Although for "small" scale scam, it's definitely hard to held scammer responsible/accountable.

[LoyceV]

I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

This is the same on virtually any forum on the internet.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

I can only talk for myself, but I prefer to keep my real life away from Bitcointalk.

And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

That's always a risk, but fraud happens in real life too.

[Charles-Tim]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

To be anonymous, you need to use Tor anytime you want to visit this forum.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life? And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

For trading and businesses, you can use escrow if the member you are dealing with is not reputed. If the member is reputed, signing a message with bitcoin address or proving you are the real person using PGP signature is important.

[FatFork]

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

I would say it's the other way around. Our digital life is an "extension" of our real life in the physical world.

And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known

You can always decide to share your personal information with a select few, if the situation requires it. This does not mean that you have to share your identity with the general public.

in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

Here's where personal responsibility and accountability comes in. Even with anonymity, there are still ways to encourage responsible behavior. Reputation systems can track a user's history of transactions, helping identify potential scammers. For higher-value transactions, you should only use trusted platforms and/or escrow services.

[Fiatless]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

Yeah, the forum promotes anonymity because you don't need KYC to register or engage in discussion. But you also need to put some effort into promoting your privacy such as using Tor browser or other anonymity programs. However, some members know each other physically and this might be very common in local boards. Most members of local boards are closely knitted and might even come from the same community. I have read posts where members attest to meeting each other physically.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life? And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

Most people use escrow services offered by reputable members of the forum to carryout financial transactions. The reputation of a member could also serve as a guarantee or collateral for financial transactions. This is why it is not advisable to engage in financial transactions with a newbie or a member without a reputation. Some members offer lending services and in most cases their collateral is the reputation of their account.

The punishment for engaging in fraudulent activities is negative trust. Suchmembers's accounts will become a trade or business risk and the red trust is a sign that warns people about trading or engaging in any financial transactions with such person. An account that has such negative trust will become worthless economically. This is why it is important to deal with high-ranking and trusted members because many of them will not want to destroy their accounts or reputations because of small financial transactions.

[examplens]

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

Many here earn some kind of money, through Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. Of course, that money has an impact on real life.
For example, I spent a total of more than 220 days on this forum, that's 220 days of my life that I spent reading or participating in this forum instead of some real-life things.

[Churchillvv]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

Yes, perhaps most people like to keep there real life issues away from a public forum like this but that doesn't mean we are completely anonymous to each other.

Most time you can know someone's country, location, etc through rigorous observation and via local board visited etc but it's partially agreeable.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

Yes partially, our activities ends here but if one commits a crime he or she can be tracked, hence it is being extended to real life.

And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

since our IP address are been tracked, if one commits a crime, then he or she could be traced if the forum admins permits that. so one should be careful with what we do in the forum because we are not completely anonymous, it's only in our subjectivity that we feel anonymous whereas it's never so. here is a quote on the forum variations

At our sole discretion, we may voluntarily assist law enforcement worldwide. Generally we do this only when we perceive that the target user has probably committed a serious and non-victimless crime.

So it's all on the forum admin if one should be held responsible for his or her crime.

[lovesmayfamilis]

To remain completely anonymous on the Internet, you need a good understanding of each action. But here on the forum, if you don’t want to talk about yourself, which sometimes happens, you may be recognized by other coincidences that you may not even suspect. In particular, your social networks or your telegram address. Did you know that it is possible to find out your IP address by clicking on a link sent to you by email or social network? According to your identical nicknames, which people out of habit can use on the Internet, doing something stupid and posting their photos and data. Therefore, if you want not to be associated with any part of life in your real life offline, always understand that once you leave information or photos here, the archives will remember everything, and perhaps those who need it will be able to track you.
Big Brother is always with us.

[Doan9269]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

What about the IP address, you can be tracked on that occasion, but am not saying the forum will do such, but know this for future purpose, if you're also using a centralized exchange and still claim being anonymous, then it's better to tell the truth that nothing is hidden anymore about yourself.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

5his forum is another community entirely different from the society you're used to, you choose who or what to become here by the virtue of your significance.

And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

It's through p2p, that is more trusted and secured, but using a centralized exchange is not the best, they have your KYC with them, no one will be responsible for any untrusted interactions you made with anyone.

[Btcdeybodi]

I'm impressed with the personal view of everyone that has responded to this thread so far and I say thank you all for giving your opinions and also helping me gain some knowledge and information about the forum, I'm overwhelmed by the responses I have gotten so far and I also look forward to having more experience and also sharing experience within my stay here in the forum.

Big Brother is always with us.

Hmmm! Meaning everyone's activities here is under watch right? That's interesting and would even make the system more transparent and reliable since every users activities can be seen by all.

But do we have some police and probably FBI here? Lol and the judiciary as well to bring perpetrators of illegal and untrusted activities to book?

[EarnOnVictor]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life? And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

Bitcointalk is a public forum, and just like any other forum, one's details cannot unnecessarily be revealed, even for security and privacy reasons, it is forbidden, though the forum admin may know more about the user. Regardless, you may still make friends on the forum, but you need to be careful about it. People are making friends but anything that has to do with financial transactions must be thought through thoroughly before proceeding.

I've read people tagging users Red, Neutral and Green, which means that transactions with users here could be Bad, Ugly and Good respectively, it all depends on the person in question. But don't forget that no matter the outcome of what you transact here, you can't trace the person, period! This is why you should be more careful and it is not a must you transact with people here. But if you must do that, just do it with those with good reputations here and who are in good campaigns. By this, you can report them and hold them accountable, nonetheless, you must have verifiable and undeniable proof(s).

[dkbit98]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

This is not exactly true, there are members who didn't hide their real life identity, for example Hal Finney, so I wouldn't say that everyone is anonymous.
Than everyone knows that member MemoryDealers is Roger Ver, and member gmaxwell is developer Gregory Maxwell, the guy who first came up with CoinJoin, and he is still active in forum to this day.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life? And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

Bitcoin transactions doesn't have to do anything with your personal information, unless you are using fiat currencies or physical items for trading with your real life address.

[AmaGold70]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

Some users aren't entirely anonymous and that is mostly in the local boards, most of us in our local boards were introduced to this forum by brothers/friends that are already a member.

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life?

From my findings here in the forum and off forum it is said that even Satoshi the founder of Bitcoin has remained anonymous till date and I believe he designed the anonymity to allow users to protect their privacy and financial information. Personally I like the anonymity in this forum because it will allow more open and honest discussion without the fear of judgement or being criticized for your opinion.

And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known

I don't know the type of transaction you are taking about but I don't think Bitcoin transactions requires your personal information, I can see that most users are wearing signature campaign and they get paid through transaction without knowing the owner or manager of the campaign in real life (I stand to be corrected if am wrong)

 and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

Am sure you know that there are scammers amongst us, likewise real life, and they can only get to you if you choose to expose your personal or financial information.

[KingsDen]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum, I discovered that almost every one in this Bitcointalk forum is Anonymous like each of our identity is hidden, age, location, country, and some other personal information.

Actually not everyone hides their identity in the forum. Some people have identified their gender, some people also do indicate their location (but rarely), we have known the age of some. Especially our 80+ user here. It is safe to say that bitcointalk values freedom. It is at your wish to expose or hide your info and as well as to browse with concealed IP or not

Does it mean that our activities here just ends within the forum and doesn't extend to real life? And how do we cope with performing transactions with one another even when our identities are not known and in a case of fraudulent activities, how can the culprits be held responsible or accountable?

You can hang out to the people in your locals, there's nothing wrong about that. Also, bitcointalk reputation system plays a good role here.