Home› Help Desk
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.

Checking Your Location by Geofencing

TheMixTheMix Posts: 3,176 Boards Guru
edited March 4 in Help Desk
Hey everyone,

We wanted to let you know about a change you may notice when you next log in to our Discussion Boards. We’ve added a function called Geofencing which checks where a user is physically based. It will be going live shortly.

As you know, The Mix provides support for young people aged 13-25 living in the UK. For The Mix to be compliant, we have a legal requirement to verify the location of young people using our online services.

All you have to do is log in as normal. Then when you log in, you’ll see a pop up that asks “Are you currently in the UK?” It looks like this:
o3sylyldi9br.png

If you select “Yes”, you’re confirming you’re in the UK and you’ll be able to use our boards as normal.

If you select “No”, you’re confirming you’re not in the UK and won’t be able to post or react to posts.

The pop-up box will appear every time you log in to check you're currently in the UK whilst you use our Discussion Boards.

We’re here if you have any questions about this. You can either leave a response here, DM us, or send an email to community@themix.org.uk

The Mix Community Team :star:
Post edited by TheMix on

Comments

  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    edited February 27
    I’m going to put the same question I asked last night up here too. The mix has been a UK service for the past 25 or so years, however long it has been around. So surely, if this is a major issue, we should have always been checking if someone was in the UK? And if not, I’m curious what the big change in legislation or whatever is that means we suddenly have to start checking now.

    If it pops up every time, does this mean that people can’t use the boards while they’re on holiday if they happen to go abroad? That is if someone who is normally in the UK goes to Spain for a week they can’t use the boards for that week? I ask this because holidays can be tough at times, with family etc, and some people do need support. Is this not possible anymore without telling a porky pie and ticking the box?

    Oh and also, what happens if someone is always signed in? If they use a device which is only their’s, and tick the box to keep them signed in, will it only ask if we sign out and back in again?

    And for my NI and ROI friends, I’ll put this here for you. Hopefully it doesn’t exclude people in NI at all as it is part of the UK. But what about the ROI, Channel Islands etc?
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • Amy22Amy22 Posts: 5,034 Part of The Furniture
    independent_ wrote: »
    I’m going to put the same question I asked last night up here too. The mix has been a UK service for the past 25 or so years, however long it has been around. So surely, if this is a major issue, we should have always been checking if someone was in the UK? And if not, I’m curious what the big change in legislation or whatever is that means we suddenly have to start checking now.

    If it pops up every time, does this mean that people can’t use the boards while they’re on holiday if they happen to go abroad? That is if someone who is normally in the UK goes to Spain for a week they can’t use the boards for that week? I ask this because holidays can be tough at times, with family etc, and some people do need support. Is this not possible anymore without telling a porky pie and ticking the box?

    Oh and also, what happens if someone is always signed in? If they use a device which is only their’s, and tick the box to keep them signed in, will it only ask if we sign out and back in again?

    And for my NI and ROI friends, I’ll put this here for you. Hopefully it doesn’t exclude people in NI at all as it is part of the UK. But what about the ROI, Channel Islands etc?

    I also second this as well too because one of my main concerns I guess is that as you said say if you did go away abroad on holiday and you needed to access the mix for any reason, the geofencing thing may stop UK residents on holiday being able to access their support.

    One thing I may mention that is also as its pretty much a tick box option asking if your in the UK or not, this doesn't really stop anyone from telling a white lie and saying they are based in the UK when they could be from the EU or elsewhere etc. Having a tick box option is so easy because anyone can tick a box and say yes. Obviously I understand the guidelines because the uk will have different safeguarding regulations compared to the rest of the EU including ROI and NI. It's just concerning that it could excluding people from ROI and NI to be able access support that they need.
    Just a person who likes pop culture and films
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    edited February 27
    It definitely shouldn’t exclude NI, as NI is part of the UK. So long as this is widely understood (I have heard stories of people in NI struggling to access UK services) it shouldn’t be an issue for people in NI. This was covered in the session last night but I think we were still waiting for more information on ROI and the Channel Islands.

    I’m also going to assume that, as a registered charity in England, your policies and things are based on English law? I think someone pointed out as well that Scotland, Wales and NI have some very different legislation, so it’s worth making it clear to users in those countries (like me) if English law is what’s being used in safeguarding etc.
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • TheNightmareTheNightmare Posts: 3,108 Boards Guru
    edited March 2
    [deleted]
    Post edited by Katie on
  • shannon_164shannon_164 Community Champion Posts: 979 Part of The Mix Family
    independent_ wrote: »
    It definitely shouldn’t exclude NI, as NI is part of the UK. So long as this is widely understood (I have heard stories of people in NI struggling to access UK services) it shouldn’t be an issue for people in NI. This was covered in the session last night but I think we were still waiting for more information on ROI and the Channel Islands.

    I’m also going to assume that, as a registered charity in England, your policies and things are based on English law? I think someone pointed out as well that Scotland, Wales and NI have some very different legislation, so it’s worth making it clear to users in those countries (like me) if English law is what’s being used in safeguarding etc.

    pls don’t take this as 100% fact, just in case i’m wrong, but i think on chat on wednesday night it was stated that the mix are aware of legislation differences in england compared to northern ireland for example therefore they base it on individuals as opposed to one set thing as it will be different for me being in northern ireland compared to you being in scotland - i hope that makes some sense, ive confused myself trying to explain what i mean haha but they did definitely mention being aware of different legislation in different parts of the uk!
  • KatieKatie Community Manager Posts: 317 The Mix Regular
    edited March 2
    Hey everyone,

    These are all really good questions and insights. We'll get back to you soon with some more information :) Thank you for your patience in the meantime!
    Post edited by Katie on
  • Rose113Rose113 Community Champion Posts: 3,012 Boards Guru
    I had to log in on my laptop but it didn’t pop up with anything to confirm if I’m in the uk
    Sometimes when the people most like you don't love you, it is a hurt that can cause the greatest pain, and this pain can lead you to hate everything.
  • shannon_164shannon_164 Community Champion Posts: 979 Part of The Mix Family
    Rose113 wrote: »
    I had to log in on my laptop but it didn’t pop up with anything to confirm if I’m in the uk

    same - i have logged in a few times since friday and haven’t been asked to confirm i’m in the uk yet.
  • AnonymousToeAnonymousToe Posts: 2,594 Boards Guru
    I didn’t even log in and I got it
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    edited March 3
    AnonymousToe wrote: »
    I didn’t even log in and I got it

    Me too @AnonymousToe! I’ve just had it now.

    Which raises the question as I almost did this: what if someone presses no by accident 🤷‍♀️🤣 Is it just a case of log out and back in again?
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    edited March 3
    Am I seriously gonna have to click this every time I open safari on my phone to get on here .. or close the tab and then come back on? Been asked twice in 5 minutes 😱 I was in the UK 5 minutes ago, would be an epic short journey if I wasn’t now

    Edit: 5 times in 10 minutes! This is just by opening and closing the tab. That would be some impressive teleportation skills if I wasn’t still right here in Scotland lol
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • eylaheylah Posts: 6,530 Master Poster
    its getting annoying having to keep pressing im in the uk. its not just when i log in its when im also logged in itself. just had 3 in 5 minutes.😅
    ppl dont always need advice. sometimes all they rly need is a hand to hold. an ear to listen. and a heart to understand them. 🧸
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    I must have pressed that I’m in the UK 20-25 times since last night. It keeps coming up even though I haven’t signed out just when I open safari (it’s soooooooo annoying!)
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • KatieKatie Community Manager Posts: 317 The Mix Regular
    Ah it popping up multiple times does sound irritating. I'll feed this back and we'll look into it - bear with us folks!

    @independent_ @eylah
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    You mean to say you're immune and it's not pestering you @Katie? :joy: thank you for passing it on, it's super annoying
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • KatieKatie Community Manager Posts: 317 The Mix Regular
    Let me know how you're getting on with the pop ups today folks - is it the same?

    Also I appreciate we haven't yet answered your questions above but they are coming! The team are writing up a summary after the Change Management Session last Wednesday and similar questions were asked. They'll be with you soon!
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    @Katie its all but disappeared today, I’ve just noticed i haven’t had to click it for a while!
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • KatieKatie Community Manager Posts: 317 The Mix Regular
    Yayy okay great @independent_ we had some work done on it last night so glad to hear it seems to not be popping up as much ! Let us know if anything changes - thank youuu <3
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    Thinking about it it was last night it stopped doing it! Thank you for working on it. So should it just be when we sign in now?
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • Rose113Rose113 Community Champion Posts: 3,012 Boards Guru
    @Katie im still getting it 🥲
    Sometimes when the people most like you don't love you, it is a hurt that can cause the greatest pain, and this pain can lead you to hate everything.
  • eylaheylah Posts: 6,530 Master Poster
    its stopped for me.. thank god :lol:
    ppl dont always need advice. sometimes all they rly need is a hand to hold. an ear to listen. and a heart to understand them. 🧸
  • eylaheylah Posts: 6,530 Master Poster
    never mind.. its happening again
    ppl dont always need advice. sometimes all they rly need is a hand to hold. an ear to listen. and a heart to understand them. 🧸
  • shannon_164shannon_164 Community Champion Posts: 979 Part of The Mix Family
    for me, im asked multiple times, like every single time i go off the mix website and back on (remaining logged in btw) it asks then it won’t ask me for hours on end then suddenly asks me a million times again lol
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,178 Supreme Poster
    It’s done it a couple of times to me, when i first went on my laptop and then when I switched back to my phone, but other than that it’s peaceful around here (at least from a geofencing perspective)
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • FaolanFaolan Posts: 181 Helping Hand
    I’ve a question regarding this. I live in ROI, I have a ROI passport but my mam lives in the north of Ireland. I’m a minor and visit my mam daily . How would this work for me? The Irish border is invisible, I can step in and out of the UK in no time.

    I don’t care for the mix anymore and wont be using the community really but I still log in to talk to my friends occasionally.

    This can also easily be bypassed by lying or using a vpn. It’s like a door made of tissue paper.
  • Rose113Rose113 Community Champion Posts: 3,012 Boards Guru
    Why is it only asking me at night :lol: is it finding me suspicious for not sleeping and being on boards at 1am :p
    Sometimes when the people most like you don't love you, it is a hurt that can cause the greatest pain, and this pain can lead you to hate everything.
  • Sian321Sian321 Community Manager Posts: 515 Incredible Poster
    edited March 8
    Hi everyone - I appreciate there had been some questions about what happens if you accidentally answer 'No' to 'Are you in the UK?' when in fact, you are.

    If this does happen, please don't fret! You can email us directly at community@themix.org.uk and we will work to resolve this for you.

    You won't get locked out of your account if you are indeed in the UK when you're using the service :3

    Hope this helps!
Sign In or Register to comment.