Common questions about how access works on this platform and how we approach safety.
Can I use a pseudonym on this platform?
Yes. Many members do. You can set your display name to any name you wish — your real name, a pseudonym, an initial. See the Platform Guide for how. Your real name (where provided on the application) stays with us and is not displayed.
Who can see what I post?
It depends on the category. Public categories are visible to anyone, including non-members. Member-only categories are visible only to approved members. Working group categories are visible only to members of that working group. The Protected Space is visible only to impacted members.
Search engines do not index member-only categories. The Protected Space is doubly protected against indexing, therefor, Search engines, AI crawlers, and similar tools do not have access to those spaces.
What is the Protected Space and how do I access it?
The Protected Space is a confidential area for members who are themselves impacted by statelessness, nationality deprivation, discriminatory nationality laws, or who are at risk of statelessness. If you are in the Impacted Individuals or Impacted-led Groups membership layer, you will have access to it automatically once your membership is approved.
Will GMAS share my information with anyone?
No. The personal information you provide on your application is kept confidential by the Movement. It is not shared with UN agencies, governments, donors, journalists, or external parties — ever — without your explicit consent. Aggregate, non-identifying information may be used for reporting on the Movement’s composition.
Can I limit who can send me private messages?
Yes. In your preferences, you can restrict private messages to staff only, or turn them off entirely except for system messages. See the Platform Guide. please also be aware that private messages are readable by admins, it’s designed by discourse and GMAS has not part in it.
Can I delete my account?
Yes. In your preferences, go to Account > Delete My Account. Your account is deactivated and your contributions are anonymised, in line with Discourse’s standard deletion process. Your membership record is also archived. Personally identifying information is purged within 30 days, except where retention is required for safeguarding.
What happens to my posts if I delete my account?
Posts in public categories remain visible but are attributed to an anonymous deleted-user identifier. Posts in member-only categories can be removed at your request. Posts in the Protected Space will be reviewed for removal, in line with the Protected Space’s confidentiality rules.
I am being harassed. What do I do?
First: this is not okay, and we are sorry it is happening. Please report it. You can flag the specific post(s), email info@againststatelessness.com with “CODE OF CONDUCT” in the subject line, or contact a Co-Lead directly. We will respond, and we will not name you to the person whose behaviour you are reporting without your agreement.
Will my GMAS membership be visible to my employer, family, or government?
Not by default, and we work hard to limit this. The platform allows pseudonyms, member-only spaces are not indexed by search engines, and we do not share members’ identities externally. That said, no online platform is completely private. If your situation involves serious risk from a state, employer, or family, please write to us before joining — we can talk through how to participate safely, including using a pseudonym from day one and limiting profile information.
What does “GMAS does not share information without consent” actually mean?
It means: we do not share your name, email, country, or any personally identifying information with anyone outside The Movement team and reviewing members of the ICG. We do not respond to information requests from governments.