Etsy warning

[lolmac]

Have you ever bought anything from Etsy?

I haven't, thank heavens.  I've never done anything on the site at all.

Two words:  don't.  Ever.

http://www.eylerwerve.com/2011/etsy-com-publishes-real-names-and-purchase-history-of-buyers/

http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/03/15/etsy_privacy_people_search/

Their approach to user privacy is apparently taken from Facebook. (Our motto:  You're Not the Customers, You're the Product -- and You're For Sale on the Global Black Market)


Just freaking out here.  I'll archive this post after I've calmed down a bit.


ETA:  Still not calm, but my sympathies have now shifted largely to the artisans who sell there.  This wasn't their choice or their doing, but it will ineradicably taint the place for their customers, and there's nothing they can do to protect either their customers or themselves.

March 15, 2011

Comments

[callibr8]

Are there alternative sites where similar wares are available but without the obnoxious lack-of-privacy policies? I have knitted goods I'd like to sell, and was thinking of creating a shop there, but will NOT while such buyers-info-is-public policies are in force. Thanks for the caveat!

[lolmac]

Haven't a clue; sorry. I suspect that this is a hot topic right now in the artisan comms and groups, so you might be able to get some information there.

According to my sister: "They've apparently shut down the feature, but the damage is already done. Information, once it's out there, is always out there. All that shit is caught in Google's cache." -- so your future customers are safe for the moment, but the marketplace platform itself is in danger of being regarded as tainted.

[http://users.livejournal.com/idlewild_/]

I've heard good things about artfire.com. But I'm afraid I've never shopped there.

[lolmac]

Well, if it's a good platform -- this is likely to drive both artisans and shoppers to more trustworthy alternatives!