How to protect your anonymity on Reddit?

Alright...
It’s 2013. We aren't kids anymore, and those naive delusions about total anonymity are long gone...
(I’ll be honest for a second—for me, the biggest reality check regarding privacy, and honestly on many other fronts, was the whole Watergate scandal that went down right here on this Reddit thread.)
But let’s set aside the issue of leaking user data to third parties for a moment.

Let’s also move past why a user might choose to abandon their profile or decide not to post under their old handle, opting instead to start fresh under completely permitted conditions.

What I really want to know—and I'm looking for input from both the mods and the general community—is this:
As a standard, non-banned user on this site, do I have the right to enjoy the anonymity of whatever handle I choose? Or is it acceptable for the administration—the very people who, in my slightly naive view, should be protecting me—to publicly out someone's "real name" (in a forum sense; since our handles are our only IDs) or a handle that, just to be clear, I didn't reveal myself?

Is it permissible for moderators to unmask user identities (whether forum handles or real-life info)?

If it happens, whether it's allowed or not, what could possibly motivate a moderator to do it? Is it provocation? Some attempt at humor? Malice? Pure incompetence?

Maybe I’m missing something, or maybe it’s just me. Perhaps I was under the illusion that this was actually a somewhat serious forum?

Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive.🤷

Laura Mendoza2 said:What I’m really trying to get to the bottom of—and I’d love to hear what both the mods and the rest of you users think about this—is this:
As a standard, regular user who hasn't been banned or anything, do I actually have the right to enjoy the anonymity of whatever handle I choose? Or is it against the rules for those who are supposed to protect my privacy (looking at you, admin team!) to go around publicly outting people by linking them to other identities? To be clear, I'm talking about revealing someone's identity via their handles, even if I haven't personally outed myself like that?

Is it actually allowed for anyone to reveal another user's identity (whether it's their online persona or their real life) to the moderators?

Sorry, I'm a little lost here—could you clarify what you mean? Are you asking if it's okay to expose someone else's various handles if they haven't explicitly stated themselves that those accounts belong to them?

I’d like to keep this as its own thread because I really want to hear different perspectives on this, and honestly, I didn't see a better place to start the conversation than here.

The reason I'm starting this is because of how Taylor Swift acted as a moderator on this thread.

rustydrifter10 said:Sorry, I need a bit of clarification here. Are you asking if it's against the rules to call out someone else's other handles when they haven't explicitly stated those profiles belong to them?

Exactly that.

Look, you’re obviously entitled to your privacy—but honestly, part of the burden of maintaining that anonymity falls squarely on your shoulders. It would probably go a long way if you picked an avatar that wasn't so incredibly suggestive—I mean, seriously, this one practically screams "It is I, Leclerc!" That isn't exactly how someone who wants to fly under the radar operates.

As for the lady on the forum, I'm certain that getting her username wrong was a total accident—completely unintentional and, more importantly, without any malice whatsoever. The same thing could have easily happened to me if I weren't constantly double-checking myself in my replies.

That was honestly just a slip of the tongue; Eric Gray2 never intended to out anyone, and she actually asked to have those posts edited. So, there you go—I've gone ahead and wiped them.

Nicholas King said:Of course you have a right to privacy—but part of the burden of exercising that right falls on you. Choosing a less suggestive avatar would go a long way. Seriously, this one practically screams "It is I, Leclerc!" That isn't exactly how someone seeking anonymity behaves.

I’m certain the mistake regarding her username was completely accidental, without any malice whatsoever. The same thing could easily happen to me if I weren't constantly double-checking my replies.

First off, we aren't talking about a regular user here; we're talking about a moderator. In this context, there is a massive difference. At the very least, I think we can agree on this paraphrase: what's allowed for an ox isn't necessarily allowed for Jupiter. 😉

Second, the "burden of exercising a right" should be exactly that: mine and mine alone.
Not yours, not some other user's, not a moderator's, etc.
Mine.
It is my right, and it MUST remain solely mine (on a standard, healthy online platform, anyway) when I choose to reveal anything about myself to others.
The decision of HOW MUCH and in what manner I disclose must also be mine and mine alone.
And so on.
I think we understand each other.

As for your assumption about whether it was an accident—don't take this personally, but I am not in a dialogue with you or anyone else except the person who actually did it. Your opinion, my opinion, Petrov's, or Markov's—they are all just guesses. My take, by the way, is that it wasn't an accident at all, because I don't see how that could even be possible. Especially since the conversation continued via a response to your question.

Third, do you honestly think this is okay?

Laura Mendoza2 said:Look, whether it’s yours, mine, Petrov’s, or Markov’s, we’re all just guessing at this point. Personally, though? I really don't buy the "coincidence" angle for a second—I honestly can't see how that could even be a possibility.

She actually told me straight up that it was just a coincidence, and she was asking for an edit because she couldn't delete it herself anymore. The ZK moderators probably haven't caught wind of it yet.

An avatar is just as important as the username itself. Honestly, I knew it was you right away—and it didn't even cross my mind to think you were trying to hide, mostly because you aren't exactly subtle about it.
Of course, you have every right to stay anonymous, but maybe don't use an avatar from your old handle, otherwise, it makes it way too easy for people to connect the dots.

Laura Mendoza2 said:Thirdly, do you honestly think that’s acceptable?

I don't think it is.

Just as the moderator in question clearly feels it isn't—because if she didn't, she would have just snapped back with some vulgarity instead of actually asking to edit her post.

And it's just as wrong to play those little cock-teasing games by saying "It is I, Leclerc" while simultaneously demanding total anonymity on the forum. Honestly, it's just pointless 🙂.

Quote : Nicholas King

Laura Mendoza2 said:First off, we aren't talking about just any random user here—we’re talking about a moderator. And in this specific situation, that distinction changes everything. At the very least, I think we can all agree on one thing—to paraphrase a bit: what’s allowed for an average person simply doesn't apply to Jupiter. 😉

Look, let's be clear about this—we're talking about a forum regular who went straight to posting on a PDF that isn't even moderated, and she did it in bold, black letters, staying strictly on topic.

Quote : Nicholas King

Secondly—and I really mean this—the whole concept of the "burden of exercising a right" should be exactly what it sounds like: it should be mine, and mine alone. It’s not yours, it doesn't belong to some other user on Reddit, and it certainly isn't the property of some moderator either. Mine. It’s my right—and honestly, it should stay strictly mine—to decide exactly when and where I feel comfortable opening up about myself to the world. I mean, if I’m going to share something personal online, it needs to happen on my own terms, in a space that actually feels right for that kind of conversation. The decision regarding exactly how much I share—and more importantly, the way I choose to reveal it—is mine and mine alone. And so on. I think we’re on the same page here.

I don't see any issue with any of this—honestly, nothing about it bothers me at all. 🤷

Quote : Nicholas King

Regarding your assumption about whether that was just some coincidence—don't take this the wrong way—but they aren't talking to you, or anyone else for that matter, except for the specific person who actually pulled it off.

I sent her a DM—which, by the way, you completely dodged—to clear the air. Honestly, I just reached out to apologize because, looking back, I really wasn't thinking clearly. This whole thread has been such a massive, drawn-out thing that I actually lost track of the conversation for a bit; I thought I was just quoting Rocket’s post, skimmed through the rest of the discussion, and hit reply. There was absolutely no sarcasm intended in what I wrote.
If what I’ve done here actually warrants a sanction, then I’ll leave it up to the Reddit mods and admins to make the call—and honestly, if they decide to hand out a punishment, let them. I’ll take it. I really should have thought this through more carefully before posting, and I definitely should have kept a better eye on things.

Quote : Nicholas King

Your take, my take, and whatever Petrov or Markov have to say—it’s all just guesswork at this point. Personally, though—and this is just my two cents—I don't buy the "coincidence" angle for a second. I honestly can't see how this could possibly be anything other than intentional. Especially since the whole conversation kept going, specifically because they responded directly to your question instead of letting it drop.

I’ve been away from Reddit for a few days, so I haven't really caught up on all the debates regarding ZK—but I did notice Nicholas King added a smiley after his question. Honestly, seeing that made me wonder if your alter ego is actually common knowledge around here, especially since the avatars look so similar. I've noticed some other women on the forums get called by their old handles all the time, so I thought maybe that was happening with you too—though, to be fair, I only realized we weren't talking about the exact same username once I actually looked closer. If I had noticed Laura Mendoza2 next to the avatar right away, believe me, I would have mentioned it. It was purely accidental; I learned a long time ago that it’s probably best not to mess with you.

Quote : Nicholas King

Thirdly, do you actually think that’s okay?

Look, honestly—it isn't. So, what's your actual plan here?

rustydrifter10 said:She told me it was an accident and asked for an edit because she couldn't delete it herself anymore. The Reddit moderators probably haven't spotted it yet.

They wouldn't have seen it anyway since I didn't report the post.

edit: ah, you mean they weren't reading the thread, got it.

What really gets to me about this whole situation is that this isn't coming from some random user; it's coming from someone labeled as "verified," "trusted," and so on—someone who has access to my other data that a regular user doesn't.
If I wanted that info out there, it would be available to everyone. Clearly, I don't.

And I think people will understand if I say I'm just not comfortable with people tossing my private information around so recklessly just because they have the clearance to do so.
How am I supposed to know if this happened because of one reason or another? (And by the way, especially since that same moderator recently called me someone with lower intellectual capacity or something along those lines, my first thought is that this wasn't an accident). All I know is that I don't expect this kind of behavior from the very people who are supposed to monitor these things and actually enforce the rules when they see them happen.

Laura Mendoza2 said:They wouldn't have even seen it since I didn't report the post.

edit: ah, you mean they just weren't reading the thread, okay.

The thing that really gets to me about this whole situation is that this isn't coming from some random user—it’s coming from someone who is supposedly "vetted," "trusted," and all that. Someone who actually has access to my other data, stuff an average Reddit user wouldn't even be able to see.
If I wanted that info out there, it would be available to everyone. But clearly, I don't want it to be.

And I think anyone would understand if I said that I just don't feel comfortable with people being so reckless and careless with my information just because—well, just because they can.
How am I supposed to know if it was motivated by one thing or another? (And honestly, especially since that same moderator recently called me someone of lower intellectual capacity or something like that on another thread—the first thing that comes to mind is that it wasn't an accident), I just know that I don't expect this kind of behavior from the very people who are supposed to be watching for these things and—when they actually notice them—sanctioning them.

"Just because they can"? Excuse me, what??? Every single registered user on this site *can* leak your private info, because the data used for this leaking is right there next to every single one of your posts.

As for the point you made in the second half of your post, you were more than free to report it.

Also, since it seems like you aren't willing to address me directly and instead keep speaking in the third person on this thread, I'm logging off. I'll deal with the consequences according to the rules, even if those rules involve removing the moderation team.

Jamie Davis17, you missed the point entirely. It’s not like I’m trying to hide or pretend I just discovered Reddit yesterday and now I've finally signed up🤣

Nicholas King said:Just as it’s wrong to play games with "It is I, Leclerc" while simultaneously demanding total anonymity on the forum. Honestly, it's just tacky 🙂.

It looks like you didn't get it either. (And was it really necessary to imply I'm being vulgar and drag unnecessary drama into this?)
Like any user on a forum, it's my business when, how much, or how, and in what way I choose to reveal myself.

I should be the one deciding that, not other users and certainly not the moderators. That's my point.

Now, tell me something else.

Sophia Kern43 said:"Just because I can"? Excuse me, what??? Every registered user on Reddit *can* leak your info since that data was used for this leaking and is attached to every single one of your posts.

Regarding the point you made in the second half of your post, you were free to report it.

Also, since it seems you refuse to address me directly and insist on speaking in the third person on this thread, I'm signing off. I'll face whatever consequences come my way according to the rules, even if they involve removing the moderators.

Drama queen?
Sorry, I had to run, I don't have time right now. Maybe I'll get back to you later, okay?

Laura Mendoza2 said:They wouldn't have even been able to see it because I hadn't officially submitted the post yet!

Actually, Eric Gray2 was the one who asked for the edit because it was just a total accident on her part.

Laura Mendoza2 said:What really gets under my skin about this whole situation is that the source isn't just some random person on Reddit blowing off steam; it’s coming from someone who claims to be "vetted," "trusted," and all that other nonsense. It's even worse because this individual actually has access to certain bits of my private data—information that a regular user wouldn't have any business seeing.
....
I honestly think someone out there will get where I'm coming from when I say this, but it just feels fundamentally wrong—it makes me so incredibly uneasy—to see people tossing my private information around so recklessly and carelessly just because they have the opportunity to do it.

I honestly have no idea how else to prove to you that there was absolutely no malice behind what she said; she just typed the wrong username by mistake. From everything I can tell, she’s already apologized to you. She even reached out to apologize to me, too. Personally, I believe her. I’m really sorry this whole thing is blowing up, but I truly feel like she wasn't trying to out your other identity at all.

Laura Mendoza2 said:It seems you haven't quite grasped the point either. (And was it really necessary—or even accidental, I suppose—to imply I was being vulgar and drag profanity into this whole mess?)
It’s a personal matter, much like it is for any user on Reddit, when, when, how, to whom, in what specific manner one chooses to reveal things about themselves.

I should be the one deciding that, not other users, and certainly not the moderators. That is my point.

"Cock-teasing" isn't the same thing as "vulgar behavior." Using an exclamation or saying something like "I'd fuck him if he could get it," doesn't necessarily equate to being vulgar.

Sure, it is your personal business when and to whom you reveal parts of yourself. You make that call, not the other people on this site. By that same logic—since you decided to set the avatar you chose—you essentially decided to reveal everything to everyone.

Eric Gray2 messed up, she took the hit, apologized, asked for an edit, and expressed her willingness to accept sanctions... Clearly, you can't prove to me that it was just pure carelessness without any—let alone malicious—intent (BTW, don't you think that if there actually *was* intent, she would have made the disclosure louder and clearer? Or do you honestly think she's so dim-witted that she couldn't manage anything better than this?)

What else should she do? Go flagellate herself at the next Reddit office party? Publicly smash her computer and her router?

You're overreacting.

Quote : Nicholas King

Sophia Kern43 said:It’s clearly about a forum regular who went off and posted on an unmoderated PDF—doing it in bold, black letters, and staying strictly on topic.

If you're just sharing your own take on a topic, fine—you can act like any other random user on Reddit. But once you start exposing someone else's private information, you aren't just some casual commenter anymore. At that point, the rules change, and you're expected to exercise a bit more discretion and actual thought. I hope the distinction is clear.
Quote : Nicholas King

I sent you a DM (which, by the way, you completely ignored). To be more precise, I apologized—because, clearly, I wasn't thinking.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what my response to him should even be. It’s not like I haven't given it some thought. I eventually just landed on the conclusion that I have nothing left to say. I simply don't know.
Maybe I should have said something. Sometimes, you just need to speak up, even when there isn't much to add. It’s possible I handled that poorly. I'll fix it.

Thanks for the DM.

Quote : Nicholas King

It was purely by chance. I learned a long time ago not to get in your way.

When did you learn that? A long time ago? If my memory serves me right, it was barely a month ago when you decided to insult me in the most hideous, indefensible way possible over a completely different topic—for reasons only you would understand.
If you ask me, this interpretation is more accurate. our relationship Look, it’s not like I’m making any kind of move on you, but if I had to say, it feels like you’re being pretty persistent about throwing yourself into my arms. 🤷

I couldn't care less about you personally. This isn't an interrogation of your character, but if you—and let’s be clear, anyone else who acts exactly like you do—are actually functioning as a moderator on this subreddit, then we have a much larger problem to discuss. moderator I don't expect to be served some garbage cooked up by the moderation team every five minutes.
Look, I just don't have that sense of security. I don't trust that I'm actually in a place where I can let my guard down. Whether it’s by design or just pure coincidence—whether it's an accident or a total mess—it doesn't matter. Honestly, I wouldn't care if things were chaotic as long as they were comfortable, but they aren't.

Quote : Nicholas King

Well, damn. It isn't. What's your move then?

I'm not making any suggestions. Should I be?

Laura Mendoza2 said:I just don't have that sense of trust—you know? I don't feel like I'm in a space where I can actually relax. Whether it happens on purpose or just by accident, through a slip of the tongue or a total blunder, it's the same thing. Like I said, I'd love for things to be comfortable, but they just aren't.

It really saddens me to hear that you're feeling this way on Reddit. But look, as a moderator, I can't take responsibility for your personal feelings. The only thing I am responsible for is my own lapse in judgment while I was moderating—I messed up, I apologized, and that's that. Honestly, I’m at a loss as to what else I could possibly do as a mod to make you feel "safer" here; I genuinely don't know. I assumed that since you were the one who started this thread, you actually had some constructive feedback to offer.

Nicholas King said:Look, deciding when and to whom you reveal things about yourself is entirely your call. You’re the one in control of that, not some random people on Reddit. It’s the same logic with your profile picture—you chose that avatar, and that was your decision. She finally decided to come clean and tell everyone everything..

Look, anyone else could have posted their own photo alongside a shot of their house and the street number, but nobody—especially not the administration, Reddit opinion—has any right to demand that. They just don't have that right. ...man, that’s just Joe Biden from Nowhere.Either they have proof, or they’re just making assumptions because this guy clearly wasn't trying to hide anything. What’s the deal?

Boldano: I'm not. Yeah. I decided to lay it all out there. I've spilled everything. Just the avatar. And let’s be real—it isn't just about fingerprints. It’s not like only one person on the entire planet could have a specific avatar. Besides, that profile picture is... let's call it "suggestive," because it clearly isn't an exact match.

Look, what you're saying is just plain wrong. I didn't expose anything—I didn't even leak my handle. All I did was have an avatar, and if that gave anything away, it was the moderator who made that call, not me.

And why did I choose this avatar? It’s my call. I shouldn't have to deal with any fallout or people trying to label me or broadcast who I am just because of it. It’s obvious that I am. For some people. She wanted to make it clear that she was talking about me.😁).
Just take a look at the difference: For some people. Not really. To everyone.My choice, my reasons. Not yours, not hers, not what you think, and certainly not what Barrett thinks. Mine.

Rosie screwed up, she owned it, apologized, asked for an edit, and even offered to take the hit. It’s pretty clear you just can't prove it was nothing more than a simple oversight.

Fine, why don't you just explain to me how I'm supposed to interpret her saying "oh, snap"?😳After she said "Marty for," and you responded by asking "who?" 😬".