Anonymity of Bitcointalk forum members

[Coyster]

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?

It does not mean your activity here is under watch per se, but anything you do on the internet is somewhat public and if you give away too many details, it can be used by the relevant authorities to identify you. Mind you that the forum does not moderate scam and the system is not built to protect you, you have to protect yourself, so learn how to do that.

Having said that, as for if the FBI is here, who knows, anybody can register an account here and they do not have to make their identity public when doing so. Even if the FBI or police is here, they are not here to protect you, they can lurk around if they are trying to uncover a big scam or something related to a Bitcoin mixer.

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[electronicash]

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?

It does not mean your activity here is under watch per se, but anything you do on the internet is somewhat public and if you give away too many details, it can be used by the relevant authorities to identify you. Mind you that the forum does not moderate scam and the system is not built to protect you, you have to protect yourself, so learn how to do that.

Having said that, as for if the FBI is here, who knows, anybody can register an account here and they do not have to make their identity public when doing so. Even if the FBI or police is here, they are not here to protect you, they can lurk around if they are trying to uncover a big scam or something related to a Bitcoin mixer.

if they are tracking illicit BTC transactions and they land here looking for the owner of the BTC address in the forum, they will be watching and i think they are already here watching. Ulbrich was tracked because of his posts here in the forum.  identifying users by their real names will still be difficult unless the user did something big and crazy crime. he will not get away with it.

i remember Theymos asked KYC to everyone as his April Fools prank, there were actually users sending their documents lol i bet if he do it again, there would be users going to send IDs still.

[Faisal2202]

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?

Our personal information can extend to real life as it is your own decision, whether you want to remain anonymous or want to share your personal information with someone else just to make some trades with other members. Well, your way of thinking is very straightforward but don't you think someone can copy your personal information that you will make public and can make another account to scam other members? This means personal information can't be used as a token of confirmation to make successful trades with other members.

You should first learn how the forum members are making trades with each other, there is trust system on this forum which will tells you whom to trust and whom to not. Well, besides that I suggest don't make trades with new members, make trades with old and trusted members. But the chance of getting scammed is still there. So, DYOR before making any trades with unknown member.

[_BlackStar]

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?

To become a trusted user - you just need to build your reputation well. Bitcoin user anonymity is a form of privacy that you may need to maintain even though some of the users here know each other in real life. You don't need to trust all the users you meet on forum - especially when it comes to money, there are always risks.

You might want to read this one: https://bitcointalk.org/privacy.php

Variation

Variation from the above normal procedure may occur, for example, due to these causes:

• Bitcointalk.org is in US jurisdiction, and is subject to US subpoenas, wiretap orders, preservation orders (which would negate the above retention rules), and similar. Furthermore, our service providers could also be subject to similar orders without our knowledge. Note that we consider PMs to require a warrant in order to be released.
• 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.
• At our sole discretion, we may (noncommercially) share or extend retention on any of a specific user's userdata even without law-enforcement involvement. This is very rare.
• While we don't intentionally set up systems to do so, data may end up laying around for longer than the above-specified retention limits accidentally. For example, a sysadmin might copy the access logs in order to analyze an ongoing DDoS attack and then forget to delete them for a while.
• Computer security can never be guaranteed.

[FinePoine0]

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?

You will notice that when FTX was destroyed from the market it took thousands of people's wealth. And the big whales are basically anonymous and (the anonymous ones aren't anonymous) will share their identity with you if you want to know their identity. Therefore, when big institutions are destroyed, it is definitely punished, this is the proof of Ross Ulbricht. Sam Backman Fried (SBF) currently serving a prison sentence.

SBF-Ross Ulbricht


Bitcoin forums can certainly know your identity by checking the IP, so that's the biggest proof.

[nutildah]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum

When was this? 2021 or 2022? Because there's no way this is your first account. Look at your post history: sucking up to JJG, making lists of meritable posts, involving yourself in Reputational matters, making generic posts in Beginners & Help and then some Gambling section posts as you are readying yourself to one day apply for a casino sig spot. (For what is likely to be your 3rd or 4th account, if not more).

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

Unless you commit some kind of grand-scale federal crime, no your activities don't extend to real life. Unless you piss off a billionaire con artist and then he comes after you to smear your reputation across the internet I guess.

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?

Use trustless options when available, 3rd party swappers or sales markets. Otherwise, trust is all you have. Even if you choose an escrow, you still have to trust them.

Just remember: nothing is as it appears, especially outside of this forum. If you get screwed making a deal off-forum, well that's totally on you. If you get screwed making a deal on-forum, well its probably your fault for being too trusting, but at least we can red paint the scammer.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

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

Good points, and I'd say that in general bitcoin was created by and for people who value their privacy, and that's reflected in bitcointalk's membership.  This isn't a forum about cars or scuba diving, where members likely wouldn't give a second's thought about filling in their real age, gender, location, and whatever else in their profile.

Given how governments have been demonizing bitcoin (and really, cryptocurrency in general), it'd be a bad move to not try to stay as anonymous as you can here.  It's kind of like how nobody ever, ever mentions how much bitcoin they own, right?

Having said that, as for if the FBI is here, who knows,

Oh, I'm sure there are quite a few agencies that have members registered or at least lurking here.

[yahoo62278]

Oh, I'm sure there are quite a few agencies that have members registered or at least lurking here.

I believe this as well. Probably a lot of alphabet soup within the boards of this forum. I would say a big IRS presence as the government always wants to get their piece of everyone's pie.

The mixers being gone might have calmed down some of the other alphabet soups presence.

[KingsDen]

Oh, I'm sure there are quite a few agencies that have members registered or at least lurking here.

I believe this as well. Probably a lot of alphabet soup within the boards of this forum. I would say a big IRS presence as the government always wants to get their piece of everyone's pie.

The mixers being gone might have calmed down some of the other alphabet soups presence.

I thought about this also. If these few agencies have eyes here, it should happen when chipmixer was seized and first time this forum was mentioned as where he advertised. Maybe agencies deemed it fit to track what is happening here after the incident.
Now mixers are no longer here, they shouldn't be watching nothing or casinos.

[Learn Bitcoin]

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?

It depends. Some forum members created their accounts with real-life names but were still anonymous. You don't know anything about him except his name. If you care about your privacy, it is recommended not to share your personal information online. Create a virtual identity, contribute to this identity, and make it unique.

Some people haven't even shared their real names. They made their usernames so unique and valuable with their contributions that people imagine a character when they hear the username. For example, when I imagine the username LoyceV, I could imagine a thick-skinned guy with a lot of patience and technical knowledge—nothing fancy! I wrote his username as an example. But there are a lot more.

[LoyceV]

Since I registered as a member of this great forum

When was this? 2021 or 2022? Because there's no way this is your first account. Look at your post history: sucking up to JJG, making lists of meritable posts, involving yourself in Reputational matters, making generic posts in Beginners & Help and then some Gambling section posts as you are readying yourself to one day apply for a casino sig spot. (For what is likely to be your 3rd or 4th account, if not more).

He's on my ignore list already, which usually isn't a good sign of being a quality poster. OP abandoned his topic the same day he created it. I guess because it failed to earn Merit.

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?

Some people haven't even shared their real names. They made their usernames so unique and valuable with their contributions that people imagine a character when they hear the username. For example, when I imagine the username LoyceV, I could imagine a thick-skinned guy with a lot of patience and technical knowledge—nothing fancy! I wrote his username as an example. But there are a lot more.

If someone breaks a deal, knowing the real name of a guy on the other side of the planet isn't going to help you.

[nutildah]

He's on my ignore list already, which usually isn't a good sign of being a quality poster. OP abandoned his topic the same day he created it. I guess because it failed to earn Merit.

Seems like he abandoned the idea of trying to use the account altogether as he hasn't posted in 5 days. There's a large chance they are part of a multi-tentacled account farm -- their style of posting definitely looks familiar. He didn't even get any feedback yet: maybe he's already looking for a re-sale, lol.

[Learn Bitcoin]

If someone breaks a deal, knowing the real name of a guy on the other side of the planet isn't going to help you.

True, indeed. But if someone wants to stay anonymous, they know what they should not reveal. Revealing the real or country name won't help them find someone. It depends on the person's level of anonymity and how he likes to create an image of himself. You and some other users created a character for your username in this forum, and you guys haven't publicly shared your real name. Some specific members may know your name if you share it privately. But, that isn't enough to break your privacy!

[Vod]

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

No, they will not.

Try and have any agency request information on the approx 6,000 BTC that OGNasty stole from the community.  Theymos has said he will only give out that information with a court order.   And even then, you'll need to contact witness sites (ninja, loyce) to verify what he releases.  

6,000 btc is big, and OGNasty was a popular escrow when he scammed. 

[goldkingcoiner]

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 website like any other and Theymos makes sure that we are as free and private as possible. Which we all appreciate very much. But if the feds come knocking, they will get your IP address and they will find out who you are. Theymos won't fight the feds and none of us would expect him to. But the question here would be: why are the feds after you in the first place? This forum is not a criminal haven. It is just a forum.

Scammers are just usually small fish and they won't get caught because of that. Now, if some big cartel boss would be using Bitcointalk to conduct his illegal business, that is a different story.

[Vod]

This forum is not a criminal haven. It is just a forum.

That is a false statement.   You only need to look at Theymos.   He paid OGNasty after the community caught OG stealing donated coins.   He has treated all donated coins as his own, setting up his buddies for life.   He ordered myself and others to remove negative trust against OG.   

I thought this forum was under investigation over a year ago, but it turned out to be a stall tactic.   Even Federal agents can be bribed if you have a billion dollars. 

[Sandra_hakeem]

No, they will not.

I'm afraid they will have to  

Try and have any agency request information on the approx 6,000 BTC that OGNasty stole from the community.  Theymos has said he will only give out that information with a court order.

Seems unlikely to me...but what you meant was that Theymos's action became detrimental at some point? Which is why he said this? That's the only thing that came into my mind when I read the bold part of your post.

6,000 btc is big, and OGNasty was a popular escrow when he scammed.  

I've been following this case for quite a long time now... Vod, how about filing a lawsuit for this case? ^{[and your website isn't ready just like we discussed via PMS]?}

[Btcdeybodi]

He's on my ignore list already, which usually isn't a good sign of being a quality poster. OP abandoned his topic the same day he created it. I guess because it failed to earn Merit.

I was already satisfied with the opinion of users here previously that is why I didn't pay much attention to this topic anymore and if you check the last comment on this post was made on 21-03-2024 and the thread became inactive before @Sceptical Chymist made comment on the 14th of April.

Sorry if I have gotten myself in your ignore list, I have been occupied with real life activities that is why I haven't been stable online or to respond to this thread. I assume seeking for knowledge shouldn't be misinterpreted as phishing for merit

Hope you un-ignore me in the future when my real life commitments become lesser and i become more active in the forum.

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.

Here was my satisfactory response before i became inactive

[lovesmayfamilis]

I was already satisfied with the opinion of users here previously that is why I didn't pay much attention to this topic...

In this case, if you are satisfied with the answers, and in order not to turn the topic into a mega thread, simply close it. Your question was relevant to you, but in order not to look like a person who opens a bunch of topics and then abandons them, know how to press the “lock topic” button on time.

[Btcdeybodi]

I was already satisfied with the opinion of users here previously that is why I didn't pay much attention to this topic...

In this case, if you are satisfied with the answers, and in order not to turn the topic into a mega thread, simply close it. Your question was relevant to you, but in order not to look like a person who opens a bunch of topics and then abandons them, know how to press the “lock topic” button on time.

Thanks for your suggestion and your opinion, will do just that ASAP.