I received a question on email privacy today want to share the answer, in case anyone else might be interested:

Emails can either be private or public on the forum.

Emails that are public, are viewable by anyone who is not a "Temp" member. They are not viewable to guests/non-members.

Emails that are private are viewable to those who have surpassed the "Temp" phase, and by staff. They are not visible to guests/non-members. It may appear that they are still public because you will see the email icon under your username in your posts, but it is not viewable to anyone else.

It is the suggestion of CSC, for privacy reasons, that you keep your email address "unlisted" and private on the forum, and do not post your email address within your posts. The Private Messaging system is available for any member beyond the "Temp" phase (it is not offered to non-members for security reasons, and to reduce spam), and is a secure way of sending messages to other members.

To change the privacy status of your email, go to:

1.) Go to your PROFILE
2.) Look under "Modify Profile" and click on Account Related Settings
3.) Find "Hide email address from public?" (tick off this box)

Confirm your password and hit "Change Profile" to save your changes.

Done!

Claire, Like she said "It may appear that they are still public because you will see the email icon under your username in your posts, but it is not viewable to anyone else."  We do not see it on your profile either - only you and staff can - but we already know your real name anyway so it would not matter. However, to stop spam "bots" from harvesting it is better to have it hidden.