In one of the recent Gauteng Dogging posts, concern was expressed that this website (and specifically the Dogging posts) can be accessed and read by folks who are NOT members of the site. I responded to that concern there, but I want to also put it out here in the Forum, as the dogging posts eventually slip from view... Here is my comment, and I would appreciate further views and discussion on this matter here in the Forum ....
Hi guys. I really don't think that there is any need to be paranoid about this situation - but there IS (as in all things) a need to be responsible and careful...
This SH site has always had publicly-accessible areas. They serve as an advert" for the website (and our lifestyle), attracting potential members who then need to join and pay in order to access the additional privileges that membership allows us. For that reason there are "open" areas of the site (publicly-accessible) and "private" areas, such as your private albums, etc. I became a member of SH more than seven years ago precisely because I COULD access the site as a non-member, read all about Dogging, and became excited enough by what I was reading, to want to join and then get more involved!
Regarding pics, if people choose to post face-pics etc. in their public albums, that's their choice, but a most irresponsible one, in my view. Those pics WILL then be publicly-accessible, and are then "out there" on the internet, searchable through recognition software, etc., and can even potentially be used by the unscrupulous to your detriment. I've written warnings
about that, and particularly about providing your contact number to people that you've never met, in the hope of gaining some sexual benefit. Pics posted in your PRIVATE albums, as well as the verification pics submitted for verification purposes, are NOT publicly-accessible. They are safe from the public view.
Regarding Dogging posts, yes, they are publicly-accessible, the only restriction being that non-members cannot comment on them. But they ARE readable by non-members. So providing full details of intended meet-ups, including the proposed venue, date and time details etc, in my view, is just asking for trouble, in the same way as posting face-pics in public albums... anyone can see them. So it's a bit strange to hear of couples posting their intention to be at XYZ park or sex shop on Friday 13th at 3pm, and then getting upset when 50 hard-up and desperate single males all arrive and spoil the event for them.... As I have suggested before,if you're looking for participants, put SOME of the bait out there, wait for prospective participants to show interest, and then you can be selective and provide the rest of the details to those you've selected.
Similarly, if you establish particular patterns (always going to the same park or sex shop on the same day of the week at the same time, and posting about it), then you can expect the sharper guys around to pick up on those patterns, and sometimes anticipate action, and be there waiting for you. I'm dealing with that very problem myself at the moment, having yesterday been hounded by some desperados who recognised me at my favourite hangout!!
So I think it's a matter of being sensible, and taking reasonable precautions.... DON'T put your face-pics out there in public view if you don't want them seen by all and sundry... and don't provide detailed dogging adverts...
The outdoor sites that are used for dogging have been used for "skelmpie" outdoor sex for many years, far longer than the concept of dogging has been around. They are known to local communities and their police force, and so they will be visited from time to time by the cops who are only "doing their duty" in ensuring our safety there. Which means that we need to be vigilant, use venues and spots where we can see them arriving, and take reasonable precautions.
I've always advocated that we need to be very careful with dogging activities in this country in particular (especially outdoor dogging), because of the risk of muggings, , violent attacks etc., which would be far worse than the possibility of having people that we may consider "undesirable" pitch up...
I hope that this is useful and relevant comment.
Enjoy this wonderful site, and especially the dogging if that's what you're here for, but please, for your own safety, do so responsibly!
