Anonymity at the personal level:
At the personal level, anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard often of special importance to newcomers. As valuable as privacy is to new members, most of them are eager to share the good news of their A.A. affiliation with their families. Such a disclosure, however, is always their own choice.
Anonymity at the public level:
At the level of press, radio, TV, films, and on the Internet, practicing anonymity stresses the equality of all A.A. members. Maintaining anonymity at this level puts the brakes on those who might otherwise exploit their A.A. affiliation to achieve recognition, power or personal gain.
When using social media and other online platforms, A.A. members are responsible for their own anonymity and that of others. When we break our anonymity on public online forums, we may inadvertently break the anonymity of others. Protecting anonymity is a major consideration for A.A. members, who are moving online in ever-growing numbers.