"I don't think there's a rule in AA that a member can't disclose HIS or HER participation, just can't reveal identify of others in the group."
You are wrong. But not everyone follows AA's Traditions.
Well...Yes and No
My reading of the 11th and 12th traditions and the commentary provide in "Twelve Steps And Twelve Traditions",
shows agreeded upon acceptance of the breaking of anonymity to a close friend, family member, minister or doctor.
A problem occurs when an individual discloses their participation in AA for public self-promotion.
Of great danger also are ambitious individuals who present themselves as speaking for or representing the group.
Interesting quote that illustrates the difference between the press of today and that of the pre-1950s
The Foundation wrote letters to practically every news outlet in North America, setting forth our public relations policy of attraction rather than promotion, and emphasized the personal anonymity of AA's greatest protection.Since that time, editors and rewrite men have repeatedly deleted names and pictures of members from AA copy; frequently they have reminded ambitious individuals of AA's anonumity policy. They have even sacrificed good stories to this end.
The force of their cooperation has certainly helped. Only a few AA members are left who deliberately break anonymity at the public level.