IP Addresses

[figstree]

Title
IP Addresses

Short, concise description of the idea
I would like to propose the idea of being able to keep your IP address private when posting in journals and communities.

Full description of the ideaAll users have the option to log IP addresses if someone comments on their journal. Some utilise this option, others don't. What I would like to

Comments

[azurelunatic]

I disagree with this suggestion because allowing someone to choose whether their IP address is logged or not when commenting to a journal that has it enabled would defeat the purpose of the feature. There is a notice displayed for all commenters when this is turned on. A journal owner does already have the ability to turn this on only for anonymous commenters.

[vvalkyri]

Also add an option for the folk who are logging, to refuse permission to comment if an IP is blocked.

Same way it works for phones - some people block caller ID; others refuse any call that has caller ID blocked.

[azurelunatic]

That's the only way I'd accept the feature. I suspect that of the people who would choose to log IP addresses of logged-in users, a lot of them would turn that option on. The effect would largely then be that people who did not want their IP address logged would be simply unable to comment instead of accidentally forgetting to check and commenting to someone who logs IPs.

I could see starting a new site with this in place, but I would not want to support a changeover from the current behavior to the suggested behavior.

[azurelunatic]

Alternately, the middleman could get skipped, and an option 'Prevent me from commenting when IP addresses are being logged' could be implemented. One could override it, but it would bring you up short and make you think about it.

[hammond]

I like the idea behind this, even if it's not something I care about for myself.

I'm thinking if this were to be implemented, it should be limited to Paid/Permanent Accounts as it would offer another reason for people to upgrade. Also, it would limit the feature so (for example) spam accounts can't have their IP address hidden... unless they are a Paid spam account?

[mskala]

Why not just have a couple of check-boxes on the account configuration screen - allow comments from spammers y/n? and allow comments from stalkers y/n? That'd be a lot easier for users to understand.

[vvalkyri]

hee

[vvalkyri]

If implemented I think it would probably be worth the $20 a year for anyone who really wanted it. And yes, would deter spammers from using the option.

[polyfrog]

I do not at all understand how this (a user blocking their IP address) could be used in a legitimate way. You are warned when your IP address will be logged. If you're afraid of the person who can see that information using your IP address to find you, don't comment. Simple.

[kayt_arminta]

'zactly

[charliemc]

+1

[bookslibretti]

+1

[jewelianna]

It sounds like this would actually increase LJ stalking, not decrease it.

[kayt_arminta]

I think so too

[azurelunatic]

That was my thought. Someone intent on abuse could freely comment without having to go to any trouble to obscure their IP address.

[vvalkyri]

see above - also include an option to refuse comments from blocked ips.

[charliemc]

Those who gack IPs -- and communities who gack IPs -- are doing so because they have issues with problem individuals. Not everyone does it -- but you can easily tell when commenting if someone does.

If you're worried about having your IP gacked -- and I do think there are some legitimate reasons for concern -- then avoid commenting. It's an easy choice.

However, it's not fair to be able to override this setting, as far as I can see.

IP addresses don't really give away that much about people, by the way. The average person is going to find your street address by looking at an IP address, so why worry about it?

[ursamajor]

The average person is going to find your street address

Er, I believe you mean is not. :)

[charliemc]

YIKES!

Yes, I did mean NOT! I'll edit it...

[charliemc]

Looks like I can't edit it...

Well, glad you caught my error!

I was in a rush when I wrote it and (obviously) didn't check it over. My bad!