Reading Members Private Messages

[Widey]

Apologies for posting this here if it's not the right forum. I wanted to confirm things for everyone that operates a VBulletin site. We've just received an accusation from a publicBB that tells it's members we are reading all our members private messages, while they claim to be running vb3 but can't.

I've done the usual, trying to explain that it's not possible to pass on messages without recording them, but each time the 'rival' site retalliates saying we're trying to hide it.

You delete the accusation, and you're guilty, or you just ignore it and the innuendo kills you.

How do you explain to a member that you have to record their messages to be able to pass them on, and every vBulletin site is the same?

I would be really really grateful for replies here so I can point our scared users in the right direction,

Thanks

[maggie]

Yes, it's possible to read members' private messages, it's in the database... the best way to assure your people that you aren't, is to never EVER read them so that you're sure that you don't let anything slip...
But I would remind them that if it's possible for you to read them, it's possible for any admin to read them... ;)

[HiDeo]

Look at vb.org !

[Mark.B]

I have placed the statement shown in quotes below, into a pop up window that is opened when a button marked 'PM Terms Of Service' is pressed. This button appears on the PM homepage, and the text is also in the main rules agreed to at signup.

I also renamed 'Private Message' to 'Personal Message' long ago.

I don't routinely read people's messages and never would, but if a complaint is made about something in a PM, particularly if it relates to illegal activity, then it is useful to be covered for this.

I have also had several instances of people setting up 'rival' boards after being banned, then signing up again with me and using PM to spread malicious lies about me (eg Mark is a convicted paedophile!) and then include a link to their board. I'm sorry, but if someone does that, I *will* check the messages and I *will* ban the user on that basis. No arguments, and anyone who objects to my preventing of libel and/or spam being spread by PM can go find another board.

PMs are a means for people to contact each other on the board without using a public post...they are NOT intended to be a private and initmate means of communication. It's no different to using a phone in someone else's house.

I believe Jelsoft should change the description from private to personal, as I have done. That would help a lot.

Additionally, I also now do not allow new members access to PM by default. They have to request it. The rule is generally 100 posts, but even then we have to be satisfied they are genuine. Similarly, we may also grant access at LESS than 100 posts, again if we are satisfied the need is genuine.

I make NO apologies for any of the above. The ONLY people on my site who have objected to any of my actions, are people who seek to use my PM system to steal members for their own site.



Use of the BC Forums Personal Messaging service is subject to the following terms:

Our Personal Message service is provided as a means to contact other forum members in a fast and convenient way. We accept no responsibility for any non-delivery of messages. Personal Messages sent must not be of an offensive, aggressive or abusive nature. The Personal Message service must not be used to promote the location of other forum sites, or to create unrest between existing members. The administrators reserve the right to suspend a member from using the Personal Message system without warning and without giving a reason.

The Personal Message system is run using a database on the BC server. Although we do not routinely monitor or screen messages, it is important that the Personal Message system is not considered 100% private. As with all such message systems, the administrator reserves the right to access the database if it is deemed appropriate to do so in the interests of good management of the site, or if it is required by a suitably empowered authority. These terms are in addition to, and do not supercede, the main Forum Rules.

By using the Personal Message service, you are agreeing to these terms.

[Widey]

Thanks for all the replies it really is much appreciated.

We're in a situation just like Mark B describes, one of our ex-members has set himself up as a 'rival' board/chat room, and he just keeps on attacking us.

We're trying to take the moral high ground and ignore it, but some of our members are actually starting to listen & believe the lies.

To rub salt into the wounds, it looks like this 'rival' board is using a pre-release copy of vb3. As his site is 2 weeks old, the only reason I can see for running a pre-release copy is it's the only copy of vBulletin he could get on 'warez' sites.

How do you handle ex members setting up rival sites/attacking you? If you have any suggestions as to how to handle these attacks, please let me know, it really would be appreciated.

[Shining Arcanine]

I believe Jelsoft should change the description from private to personal, as I have done. That would help a lot.

I think they should as well. It would also be nice if they modified the TOS to state that no messages sent through the forums are private and that the TOS may be modified at anytime.

[Stadler]

Use of the BC Forums Personal Messaging service is subject to the following terms:

Our Personal Message service is provided as a means to contact other forum members in a fast and convenient way. We accept no responsibility for any non-delivery of messages. Personal Messages sent must not be of an offensive, aggressive or abusive nature. The Personal Message service must not be used to promote the location of other forum sites, or to create unrest between existing members. The administrators reserve the right to suspend a member from using the Personal Message system without warning and without giving a reason.

The Personal Message system is run using a database on the BC server. Although we do not routinely monitor or screen messages, it is important that the Personal Message system is not considered 100% private. As with all such message systems, the administrator reserves the right to access the database if it is deemed appropriate to do so in the interests of good management of the site, or if it is required by a suitably empowered authority. These terms are in addition to, and do not supercede, the main Forum Rules.

By using the Personal Message service, you are agreeing to these terms.Nice text :) I assume I may use this for our forums, too?

btw: I would suggest this or a similar text to be added in the next release of vB. That would be very useful.

[Mark.B]

Nice text :) I assume I may use this for our forums, too?

btw: I would suggest this or a similar text to be added in the next release of vB. That would be very useful.
Yes, anyone may feel free to use that text on their own site.

[Mark.B]

Thanks for all the replies it really is much appreciated.

We're in a situation just like Mark B describes, one of our ex-members has set himself up as a 'rival' board/chat room, and he just keeps on attacking us.

We're trying to take the moral high ground and ignore it, but some of our members are actually starting to listen & believe the lies.

To rub salt into the wounds, it looks like this 'rival' board is using a pre-release copy of vb3. As his site is 2 weeks old, the only reason I can see for running a pre-release copy is it's the only copy of vBulletin he could get on 'warez' sites.

How do you handle ex members setting up rival sites/attacking you? If you have any suggestions as to how to handle these attacks, please let me know, it really would be appreciated.
I have considerable experience of this.

There is only one way to deal with it. Ignore them completely. Don't give themn the satisfaction of thinking you even care that they exist. Never visit their board, even as a guest, and never communicate with them. Never even mention the subject on your own site.

If anyone starts a thread on it, you make a judgement call. If it's a clear attempt to disrupt the forum, then your rules should cover it and you remove it. If it's just some genuine discussion, let it go, but DO NOT get involved yourself, however tempting it is. This needs to apply to your moderators too. You need to project the impression that you and your team do not care one jot about 'rival' sites.

If you have to pull any posts from genuine members you can PM a brief explanation, that should be enough for any genuine person.

In the meantime, keep an eye on PMs from 'new' members or anyone suspicious. Any spamming of any sort, ban the account.

Consider doing what I have done and block PMs for new members until you know they are legit.

You MAY lose one or two members to such sites, but you will always gain new ones to replace them. Anyone who believes spam and lies like this is not worth having on your site anyway, and you are well rid of them.