Hi all
Whilst this is not essentially a bird topic, I wish to raise the question why group-trip reports on birding-aus sometimes come with a list of the participants. This includes reports from commercial tours.
Australian privacy law make it clear that prior permission should be obtained (in writing?) from tour participants before disclosing any private information about them. The authors of trip reports should maybe keep this in mind when posting to avoid any unintended consequences.
Much of the rest of the world, in particular Europe and North America, is very definite about not disclosing any private information to anyone, and I think the disclosure of passenger lists or information about guests or tour participants without explicit permission would qualify as a breach of the privacy aspect.
Although bird tour operators, pelagic trip organizers etc. probably don’t have to worry about safety issues, as e.g. airlines do, I wonder why they want to publish the names of participants.
Cheers, Jonny
Jonny Schoenjahn Perth WA
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Hello Jonny
As an occasional organiser of pelagic trips I always publish names of participants as it shares acknowledgment of bird sightings and unusual discoveries. Many participants see it as a small reward for their input and effort and I do it because it is good practice. However if a participant wants to opt out and does not want their name published, I suggest they should just mention it to the organiser.
A list of names provides less personal information than would be found in a telephone directory or electoral roll.
Regards
Ian May St Helens, Tasmania currently at Lady Barron wharf, Flinders Island.
Jonny Schoenjahn wrote: href=”mailto:birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au”>birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au
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Perhaps it is due to the fact that the participants contributed to the sightings of the species reported by the authors, who feel obligated to share the credit. Of course, the flip side is that people may be more likely to go on future trips if know [of] people who have been on previous trips.
I don’t think many birding participants would have a problem with being listed [unless something when wrong on the trip]. However, there may perhaps be a case for tour organisers to give participants the option to opt out of the list.
Regards, Laurie.
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