We run a classifieds on our site and someone is offering an item that seem to be stolen. The rightful owner contacted me and wants information revealed about the stolen ad. He wants to get his items back and get the law involved. I believe the claim but don't want to break our integrity by revealing private data trusted to us. I have a weblog with the correct timestamp, the IP and what seems like a legit email address of the offender that is offering stolen items. I want to help the case but also comply with the law. We have no privacy policy posted in our classifieds section(probably should). a. Would it be ok to hand the IP/Timestamp and email over to the rightful claimer and have him use it anyway he likes? b. Hand the information to the Police Department once they opened a case? c. Wait for a court to subpoena the information from me? Something has to happen fast because the rightful owner posted the entire incident in our forum drawing attention to it. The thief might read it and ditch the item etc. This is in California.
I would do either b or c. Without a police report, I wouldn't reveal anything. And I would only release it to the police at their request, not to the assumed victim.
It is important to remove the ad first (to protect yourself). You are only a platform that provides the service of classified ads, you do not own or sell the item so it should be alright. However, do not hand over anything to the so call "rightful claimer". By doing so, you will be violating some privacy act or something. Only hand info over to proper authorities with proper paper work! Add a disclaimer in on your site to prevent future problem like this.
With no stated policy in place I have to agree with the other posters, b or c are your only real options. I would lean heavily towards b. I also agree with pulling the ad. You really need to get a tos/privacy policy in place asap.
First of all the pull the ad if you feel the person is the rightful owner. Its your web site you can do what you want, no one can dictate what you can or cant do. If the poster of the items complains just tel them that you have the right to refuse ads, simple. Tell the so called "rightful owner" that you can only give details if requested by a supoena, be firm about that. They should respect your position if they are indeed the rightful owner of the items. NEVER give out any personal details of anyone, even an an IP address is personal information and if you are caught giving personal information to joe public that is illegal.