Smiley's Life

Recently, the Ning social network Second Life Bloggers was migrated to Grouply by the network’s administrator, Zoe Connolly. Apparently, all 1,500+ members of Second Life Bloggers were registered to Grouply without their consent or any notice. I straightened it all out with Zoe earlier, but I’d still like to state my opinion on this mess-of-a-site called Grouply. You should also read Zoe’s post about this whole mess.

Grouply is a website made to enhance Google and Yahoo! discussion groups, and host its own social groups. Apparently, it allows admins to register all their network’s members on Ning in just a few clicks, without their consent. That’s just one of the many issues this anti-privacy site has.

So that was number one. Number two is even worse. Apparently, once you’re in, Grouply is an opt-out system. Meaning, you’re not asked to join, you’re forced. I found this out by finding a neatly-stacked (Yay Gmail conversations!) pile of Grouply “group” newsletter-ish messages from people I don’t even know on a website I never even heard of. To delete my account, I had to click “Forgot My Password” (I guess it doesn’t transfer passwords?), reset it, log in, accept this “new network” that was “added to my account”, click Settings and finally look for the cancellation option, then confirm that I want to delete my account. And yes, I’m bloody sure, don’t ask me twice.

Number three is interesting. Apparently, Grouply requires your Yahoo! and Google IDs to “enhance” your Google and Yahoo! discussion groups. Yeah, like I’m going to give you my Google account credentials. Might as well just give you my bank account! Anyway, many people have voiced their concerns on whether this is some phishing service and some have said it spams your Yahoo! and Google groups once you give it your accounts. Even if these spamming claims are false, the fact they’re asking for your login info is bad enough.

And last but not least, a surprise twist: Ning is also at fault here! (I bet you didn’t see that one coming, didn’t you?) I deactivated my Ning account on the day paid plans were announced in a global Ning email, and yet I was still transferred. I guess Ning didn’t really delete my account, and still left me in the network.

In conclusion, Grouply should be avoided. At least that’s my opinion. Zoe’s now trying to have our new “network” deleted, since there’s no option on the site whatsoever to do so. I wrote an email to support about this whole incident, and so should you. If you’re a member of Second Life Bloggers that was transferred to this platform without your consent, tell them about it. Together, we can end this issue swiftly.