why names of forum members are not shown when I read a thread with google search

[anupam_ghosh2]

Dear SCN Support,

When i type a query through google about sap issues . I get several answers and correct ones too but I fail to see names of member as they are shown to be "former member".

My question is SCN is a community which helps its members professionally.

If identity of person who is providing solutions is kept secret to the world , I am not sure how does it help SCN.

This question is for SCN support forum members.

Regards

Anupam

[ErvinSzolke]

Please note that I have adjusted the tags by adding tag "SAP Community" and moving "Support Services" to an additiona tag.

[anupam_ghosh2]

Thank you so much Ervin for moving the thread to right location.

[VeselinaPeykova · Accepted solution]

Even if you don't get to the thread via a Google search - you still see Former member instead of the actual user ID, right?

This is related to GDPR, which is a very important topic in EU. In short - for SAP to be allowed to operate the site, they needed to get consent of the members registered here to show personal information. If such consent is not obtained, they substitute the user ID with Former member (and they do a bunch of other stuff as well). As you can guess - this applies to all members, many of which have abandoned the site many years ago; some maybe used S-numbers, accumulated a big number of these through the years, but never bothered to show off SCN/SDN/SC reputation; some members just register, ask a question, then leave and never come back; some log on once in a blue moon (e.g a couple of times per year); some maybe give consent, ask a question and remove consent again for some reason...

As to: My question is SCN is a community which helps its members professionally.

This has very little to do with SC(N), legal regulations have a higher priority than whatever is the mission/goal/purpose of SC(N) these days.

[anupam_ghosh2 · Accepted solution]

Thank you so much for the explanation.

[VolkerBarth · Accepted solution]

Just to add: There has been a lively discussion whether the "guestification" of former members really had to be implemented that way in this post, which also explains the side-effects.

Personally, I guess there would have been different solutions, as have been applied by other EU-based corporate forums.

[MPS4HANA]

Great. thanks for question. i too was wondering the same.

Yes GDPR is an important EU rule and unless concent from member, the info cannot be shared.

[anupam_ghosh2]

Thank you Monika.