Breach in Personal information shared without permission

[BurgessBabyandCo]

I’m not sure when but Etsy has changed their dashboard and done some updates. I googled my name last night and to my shock all of my personal details: full name, address, phone number, and email is being shared with the world. This could put my safety at risk for personal reasons. If I was required to share this I would have closed my shop.

The information is being displayed at the end of the shop in “seller details other information” I quickly deleted it and left my business email address only. However google is still showing my personal details. I did not give permission for Etsy to release this information. Does anyone know if there was an email or message sent stating these new changes?

I read that USA is having a law changed called INFORM act which is meant to stop scammers and US Etsy businesses must display their details. I am in Australia and we have a privacy act that states clearly that organisations cannot release personal information without consent. 

If you haven’t notice the change check your shop as your personal details may have been shared. 

[NanaLetha]

How do you know it’s Etsy who is doing that 

[PillowDetails]

Those Seller details auto populate when you ship outside the US.

[BurgessBabyandCo]

Because when I google my name it’s my Etsy shop page with all of my details. I could clearly see my details being displayed on my shop page on Etsy.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for this information. I wish I saw it sooner. I contacted Etsy about it. I also clicked the 3 dot setting  option on the Google search for my name to request it removed. You can remove your name, phone & address.

[PillowDetails]

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Managing-Your-Shop/How-do-I-remove-my-address-on-quot-seller-details-q...

[BurgessBabyandCo]

I found that forum too but Etsy won’t let me access that page. Access denied. Probably because I’m not is US. What does it say?

[TheVintagePineapple]

@BurgessBabyandCo If you cannot access that Managing your Shop link, it's most likely because of what happened when the forum was changed the other day.  Many sellers were locked out of most of the forum sections.   You need to add your name to this OP:

Solved: Cant access seller's forum!! Etsy devs - fix it pl... - Welcome to the Etsy Community

[BurgessBabyandCo]

Thank you that’s helpful. I have submitted a message to them to fix this.

[BootifulLabels]

Some locations have strict regulations that require online sellers to display their contact info, name, address, phone contact numbers etc.  to protect consumers. It is usually only visible to buyers in those countries that require it.  If you were logged in when you did the search, it would show you everything, because you are the shop owner.  Buyers won't necessarily see exactly the same info you see.

[BurgessBabyandCo]

Yes they can as I got my husband to google it on his devices and there it is. The point I am making is when I signed up to Etsy years ago nowhere did it say that my personal details were going to be displayed to the world. Shipping labels are different happy for a buyer to see my details for returns etc. but you shouldn’t be able to google someone’s name and find where they live and their phone number. I read etsys privacy policy and it clearly states that they don’t share your personal information other than to police or a court order etc. where does it state that it is a requirement to show personal details? Do you have a link? 

[Marmalady]

If you ship to the EU / UK, displaying your address & contact info is a legal requirement.

It is only shown to buyers in those areas

[PrevntProducts]

edit

[BurgessBabyandCo]

That’s helpful, but where does it state that it is a requirement? Where did I sign up for this? I cannot find any agreement that I consented to where my details were to be shared in the way they are being shared currently. This must be a new thing. 

[bradgoodell]

When you originally signed up for Etsy, you agreed to Etsy terms which include changes to the TOU.  When displaying this information became a legal requirement, and this happened quite a few years ago, Etsy did announce it.  I'm fairly sure that change happened prior to Covid, so pre-2020?  I remember adding the information, as well as a privacy statement, to both my Etsy shop and my website, and that was quite a few years ago.  

So, not a new thing.

[bradgoodell · Accepted solution]

Adding, I dug around quickly and found the first mention of these legal requirements dating back to 2018.  It's a requirement for sellers who sell to the UK/EU.  

Looks like you opened in 2020, so it was part of the TOU you agreed to when you signed up.  Don't feel bad.  Lots of people miss those details.

[BurgessBabyandCo]

This answers my question. Thank you!  So because I opted in to selling in EU/UK Etsy automatically updated to have my details displaying on my storefront. Now I have removed international selling I am no longer required to display my details.  

[GroundZeroCreations]

@BurgessBabyandCo In addition to EU/Uk mandates, It is also a US law, called the INFORM Consumers Act. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/what-third-party-sellers-need-know-about-inform-cons...

When you sell to the US, you must abide by US laws. When you sell to EU, you must abide by their laws. In other words, whichever country you are selling to will make the determination of which laws you follow.

However, isn't Australia part of the EU? If so, those laws, irrespective of US laws, requires contact information be displayed anyway.

Regardless of an Etsy policy, Etsy, their sellers and customers even must abide within the laws. So even if Etsy said we won't display contact info, which they don't and won't, the law would override their policy.  

[MinnieMaudsAttic]

@GroundZeroCreations   Australia is most definitely not in the EU - the European Union.

[PillowDetails]

by CraftyCornishMaids 

Community Maker 

‎11-23-2023 12:52 PM

You sell to the EU/UK, it is illegal to remove it

you also need a 30 day return policy on all your listings, to be legal, and to also have seller protection

If you don't want to do this, you need to remove the EU and UK from places you sell to

[Jewels2at]

I checked mine...I can see my full name associated with it...but not my address.

[VINTAGEbytheMAGPIE]

@BurgessBabyandCo this isn't an Etsy requirement but a legal requirement for all sellers to the UK and EU.

 Etsy are doing what they have to do to follow EU and UK legistation.  Ifyou want to sell to this part of the world so do you .