It is time for TLS to formulate serious privacy rules

[Ⓐaron]

There has been another incident that has been a direct result of the lack of specific rules regulating privacy here (I'm not going to discuss it further; if you've seen it you've seen it and if not it's probably not any of your concern) and we as a staff believe it is time for TLS to adopt specific rules regarding the privacy of members.

Specifically: It is probably impractical at best for us to regulate what goes on in private messages (at least as long as we're going to continue calling them private messages), but members' identifying information should only be revealed in public if they want it to. This means photos, names, addresses, workplace, whatever. If a person does not want their information revealed publicly, we do not have any desire to foster the sort of environment where these people will feel uncomfortable. It is of course impossible for us to control the rest of the internet, and most of us probably wouldn't want to even if we could. But we can regulate this little corner of it, and we don't want our members feeling uncomfortable.

We haven't drafted a full set of privacy rules yet. We are looking at the policy of Freethought Forum as a model. Obviously there are some parts of it that would need to be changed to be brought in line with current policy. One particular change of note would be:

Any identifying information (eg, name, home address, telephone number) reprinted without express permission will be deleted on sight. Please report any such postings by clicking the "report bad post" icon () on the post in question.

We would probably add that this would be a warn-worthy or even ban-worthy offence. This is actually mentioned elsewhere, in their rules, but considering that we would probably place this directly in our rules it would make sense to have them on the same page.

Additionally there are references to some functionality their software has that ours doesn't, and I believe our method of handling private messages is somewhat different (if people report harassment via pm I believe we are willing to look in the database to determine what is going on, although I have not reviewed our policy on this in some time). Other than that I can't imagine any major changes.

Anyway, we want your input before we enact sweeping changes to the rule set, so yeah, feel free to submit it.

 

[Bex]

Just call me Rosa Parks.

Also, maybe just change it to nood photos being reprinted, because I like looking at fully clothed members in the picture thread.

 

[Ⓐaron]

Well, the whole point is that if they want their photos posted, they can post them themselves; if they don't want them posted, it's probably not anyone else's business to post them at all, and this goes regardless of whether they're n00dz or clothed. I can see why n00dz would be a much greater concern, but I know there are at least two people here who have never even poasted face photos. More importantly, there has been one member who had a pretty determined stalker in the past. Needless to say such people would have good reasons not to want any photos posted publicly.

 

[Makoeyes987]

My main thing is with nudity as well. It frankly shouldn't be posted here, regardless of if the person thinks it'd be okay or not.

Because you never know what might happen next, or what kettle of drama might erupt. Frankly speaking, people are people and there's always going to be something that turns what might be "innocent" fun into something that makes the person or persons think this forum is full of uncomfortable perverts.

Let's just not have that risk here and keep all inappropriate images off this board.

 

[Max Payne]

I don't think we need privacy rules any more than we need staff members who don't needlessly behave in an abrasive manner that exacerbates simple situations and morphs them into unnecessary confrontations.

 

[Alex]

Its pretty sad that common sense and good courtesy needs to be codified, and pretty damn appalling that an incident actually arose that warranted the need for it :/

But yeah, definitely in favour.

 

[Octo]

I'd just like to add that any photos uploaded belong to that particular member, so they own copyright. If people wish to duplicate them elsewhere then they should ask permission.

EG: Pics from the picture thread stay in the picture thread (or whatever thread they were originally posted in) unless permission is granted.

The other thing is to make sure any pics people want rid of - they should disable the links, either by deleting from the imagehosting site or removing and reuploading (if they still wanted to be able to use the pic elsewhere) Or do what I did and trollface the shit out of everything

*phew

EDIT: Also, something that has bothered me in the past is how images posted can be viewed by anyone, not just members of the forum. I'm sure in other forums there have been images posted that cant be viewed by non members? What that is actually called escapes me but I'm sure someone here knows what I'm on about.

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

What's so hard to understand about if someone doesn't want their pic to be shown anymore then just leave it the fuck alone!

Seriously a shaved fucking chimp would have more common sense than to dart about the thread spouting lines like "oh I can still see it I'm now off to have a wank"


The whole thing is fucking ridiculous and the shit should have ended the moment bex took down the photo and not dragged on as long as it was.

 

[Makoeyes987]

You know what. This thread is about drafting a privacy policy with member input. Not "bitch about staff members and shit stir more confrontation and drama with them."

We're past that now and we're handling the incident that happened. Keep that shit out of the thread please.

Either contribute ideas on drafting said policy or move on.

 

[Xelazander]

I apologise if I'm at fault for quoting it, this was before it was taken down and I had no intent on keeping it up. I just quoted the post straight under to praise it. Once she removed it I guessed it would remove from mine aswell and didn't bother to check. I was happy to remove the quote but I was beaten to it by a mod.

 

[Max Payne]

Who's bitching? I'm just saying, there's a reason people don't bitchfight with X-Soldier, MOG, and Yopy.

All it takes is some respect. We don't need guidelines for common sense if people just respect folks, especially when they are visibly upset.

 

[Max Payne]

Also, opening up a line of communication with staff about what's been upsetting members and generally causing more problems than we need isn't shirt stirring, it's common sense and the best way to move past that nonsense.

But hey you want to equate that to shit stirring and shut people up, that's your prerogative mate.

 

[Makoeyes987]

That was mostly directed at L.

And well apparently we do. I especially would like this drafted into the rules so this shit doesn't ever happen.

And again. Let's not divert this thread any further and actually talk about the topic this thread was created for. Not calling out and trying to further the confrontation that was in the thread in question. That's being sorted and is over.

 

[Celes Chere]

Anyone that doesn't follow obvious rules about privacy/courtesy is a douche bag.

That's all I have to say, really.

 

[Arianna]

I don't know what's going on, but I think that being as specific and all-encompassing as possible is best. Cover your butts, you know.

 

[Octo]

Cover your butts,

Words to live by there

Yeah we need some proper rules in place. I already mentioned it to Aaron but I think one of the rules should be that member photos are copyright, if people wish to repost then they must get permission. I know this is going to make things awkward when people want to Photoshop MOG's face onto a Mog but eh, you can't make an omlette without cracking a few eggs.

Actually it might be easier if we have some sort of method that lets people know its ok to repost an image. I dunno, a smiley or something. Then anything else is off limits.

 

[looneymoon]

I think the obsession with rules is a major part of the problem

but that's just imo
​

 

[Octo]

I dunno. Not just this particular situation, but there have been many occasions (and this is just since I've been here) where shit gets started because someone gets warned (or not!) for something that wasn't in the rules.

I agree that its kind of crappy to have a rulebook but I think we need some sort of framework.

Everyone here can say we're not going to let this happen again, but there will be other new members who won't know about it. I just think some sensible action should be taken here.

 

[Max Payne]

I think the obsession with rules is a major part of the problem

but that's just imo
​

Yeah, that and how flexible people's interpretations of the rules seem to be.

 

[Hisako]

It's easier to deal with a rulebook than it is to conjure up a list for every situation
May not necessarily be better, but still

 

[Geostigma]

I dont get it.

I dont get why we need to have rules about common sense. What the hell is wrong with this community that situations like this happen where we need to make rules to cover common sense.
Its just plain out ridiculous that the community has become so immature and petty that we have to start doing stuff like this.

I know douches will be douches but this is just so upsetting to know stuff like this is happening and its more upsetting to know that one of you is the cause of it.

Recently i almost lost my job because someone on another message board couldnt keep there trap shut and Corporate traced somethings i said all the way back to my Work Site and back to me. I dont post on that message board anymore, i dont even lurk it anymore. Thats how uncomfortable i feel regarding the manner, I dont post here that often but this is one of the last venues i have left to keep in contact with some of you and i sure as hell dont want to have even more reason to stop coming here.

About rules,

I suggest:

1) The info gets deleted on site. Offending user gets a heavy warning.
2) Second offense, Ban that ass hole.

 

[Tetsujin]

Words to live by there

Yeah we need some proper rules in place. I already mentioned it to Aaron but I think one of the rules should be that member photos are copyright

I'm pretty sure that technically, they already are anyway.

 

[Octo]

I'm pretty sure that technically, they already are anyway.

Well yeah, of course. I just mean it has to be stated explicitly so people don't go taking liberties.

 

[Dashell]

I dont get why we need to have rules about common sense.

just that really

 

[Tetsujin]

I just mean it has to be stated explicitly so people don't go taking liberties.

Which is kinda sad, really.