Choosing a better place to sniff users.

[stormbind]

Conquerclub.com requests that users enter their location/nationality. I specified the UK because I am British and I live in England. Sometimes a little British flag appears in my profile

However, sometimes a little Swedish or Norwegian flag appears instead! Today, it was Norwegian.

Why does conquerclub.com ask me to speficy my location/nationality and then display something entirely different?

The technical answer is that conquerclub.com is sniffing user locations. In other, the site attempts to identify users by their IP address!

In my case, the sniffing sometimes fails because a proxy server sometimes masks my identity.

The moral justification for the policy, and the resulting misrepresentation, is unknown to me. I think its quite insulting to be sniffed and for statement of truth (i.e. profile selection) to be ignored.

[Night Strike]

What's the issue?? You don't have to input your location into your profile, and the country flag is automatically set by the forum software using your IP. There's nothing wrong here. Moved to Q&A.

[stormbind]

The problem is that the site is misrepresenting user identity. In other words, its a lie and that a legal problem.

In at least one case, a user asked me about Norway, and how should I know - I have never been there!

In contrast to your claim, the site does not show my location based on my IP address. Instead, it shows the location of a computer in the message path between the site and the user. That location could be theoretically anywhere!

[Night Strike]

No one ever claims that it's 100% accurate. It's not hard to tell someone you aren't actually from Norway.

[AAFitz]

If you feel that strongly about your flag, dont use a proxy, and Union Jack will fly high for you every time. Also, if you type Britain and someone doesn't read it, its more their mistake than CC's.

[stormbind]

Its not about feeling strongly about a flag. I feel strongly about honesty.

The fact is that I selected one thing in the profile and the site is replacing it with a false statement. It is as though the site is calling me a liar!

I cannot avoid the proxy server as its an integral part of my internet services.

The site could say "a client location" and that underscores not just the truth, but also how useless the information is to other members.

The more pressing question is, why is conquerclub.com displaying a router location in user profiles and passing that off as user location?

It's just a question of why - what utility does it serve?

[jpcloet]

I think the IP search would be more accurate than allowing users to change their own maps. If you feel that strongly, fly an avatar, signature and label all your ID fields with something British.

[obliterationX]

Fly that Union Jack with pride, my friend.

Burn that Norway piece of cloth.

[stormbind]

Well, I'm not nationalist in disposition

I am happy that you have found humour in this, and indeed, I added my current avatar following a minor confusion over my geographic and cultural knowledge.

None the less, I cannot be the only person to experience misrepresentations.

Furthermore, if user avatars are more believable than a site-sniffed location, then there isn't much point in sniffing that location.

On the other hand, if site-sniffed locations are generally more believable (as one respondent has suggested) then I might face being distrusted.

The issue of trust and truth is a niggling fault of mine

[redhawk92]

how old are you?

i would guess old enough to type but young enough to post this

it isn't a problem and it is your fault you use a proxy

[stormbind]

What has my age to do with privacy infrigement?

If conquerclub.com was sniffing the location of minors then the situation would be clearly criminal.

As I have already stipulated that the proxy is an integral part of my internet services and cannot be removed, I tentatively suggest you have a low reading age.

[redhawk92]

there is nothing wrong with what the site is doing

if it bothers you that bad get a computer and dont use the blackberry

[stormbind]

The site is in breach of the UK data protection act.

I do not know foreign laws. However, I am certain that most developed nations have similar regulations on the collecting, collating and distribution of information about individual members of the public.

[redhawk92]

it doesn't violate anything if you use a proxy

[mpjh]

I suggest when sniffing users you stay away from the underarms.

[sailorseal]

Well, I'm not nationalist in disposition

I am happy that you have found humour in this, and indeed, I added my current avatar following a minor confusion over my geographic and cultural knowledge.

None the less, I cannot be the only person to experience misrepresentations.

Furthermore, if user avatars are more believable than a site-sniffed location, then there isn't much point in sniffing that location.

On the other hand, if site-sniffed locations are generally more believable (as one respondent has suggested) then I might face being distrusted.

The issue of trust and truth is a niggling fault of mine

You are also not the first person to post the same thing multiple times and ignore the answers.
No one asked you to tell us your country
No one told you to tell us your country
The mistake happens to many people and cannot be fixed, done, case closed
Nothing my friend can be done legally to Conquer Club, anyone who can beat Hasbro's lawyers (Hasbro happens to be suing everyone, and winning)

[stormbind]

it doesn't violate anything if you use a proxy

I realise that while a proxy is used, the sniffing technically fails, although most proxies are probably in the same country as the user

However, my last comment was targetted more at site policy rather than personal experience.

It's not just underarms that might be problematic. Someone could be using a public toilet while being sniffed *shrug*

Oh, I have not ignored the replies!

Furthermore, a number of other false statements have been made. For instance, something can be done because it is just one editable variable.

To give another example, no entity can beat me before a hearing and your statement eroneous. However, if I believed you, then that might be suggestive of bullying and psychological assault by you and against me.

I am a veteran court error maker. I have been to court and beaten organisations many times bigger than Hasbro. Not in the first round, mind, and that is most likely the cause of my concern about truth *blush*

Besides, I am not currently challenging anyone in a court. The process is long and tedious. Such action would only be taken by me if I recognised a moral obligation to do so. There is certainly no financial reward

[mpjh]

I suspect you take your fotbol and the world cup way too seriously.

[redhawk92]

i suspect he takes cartoons seriously

[stormbind]

Yuck. Can't stand either one! If you want to know what makes me tick, look up "Rammstein Amerika" on youtube

[mpjh]

No thanks, best of luck in the games here.

[oVo]

I do not know foreign laws. However, I am certain that most developed nations have similar regulations on the collecting, collating and distribution of information about individual members of the public.

If this truely bugs you, ask your IP why your location is Norway and if you honestly feel like your privacy is being illegitimately compromised... maybe this is a good site for you to avoid from now on.