Birthdate info, bad practice

[azalea]

I am sure proboards is asking about birthdates because of a law (COPPA) that protects the information websites might gather about children. Since this canoeing website does not cater to children, the law probably does not apply in this case but I can understand that proboards might want to err on the side of caution.

However, let me warn all of you how much info you reveal about yourselves to websites. I know who is behind the QP website but I do not know anything about who is behind ProBoards. And I certainly know nothing about the quality of their security measures (even compaines like master Card have security mess-ups).

My recommendation is you change your birthdate (if that is possible) that is listed on this website to something close but not exactly right (just makes ure it accurately indicates whether or not you are over 13 years old).

My recommendation to ProBoards is do not ask users for their birthdate. Instead ask if they are under 13. That is all ProBoards needs to know. If ProBoards has birthdates, ProBoards is responsible for protecting that info. ProBoards probably would be better off without the potential liability should that info leak out.

[qp]

good info azalea I'll also add that you can hide your birthdate in your profile if you so choose but as far as proboards they have it as it is in your profile.
Thank You azalea for bring this point up.
qp

[GeoFisher]

Who CARES about your birthdate. I'd be MORE worried about address, phone, etc, which by the way, you can get with about 2 seconds of searching via google. Then take the ADDRESS info, and head to google maps or google earth, and presto, I HAVE pics of your house.

I don't think birthdate is that important......at least not in this scope.

Later,

Geo

[Canoearoo]

Then take the ADDRESS info, and head to google maps or google earth, and presto, I HAVE pics of your house

LOL! Every site on the Internet puts my house in the wrong area! It stinks for trying to give people directions! Good luck trying to find my house pic! (On a side note I'm sure if you spent hours trying you could figure it out and if you were ever here then it would only take a few minutes).