Reminder: global rules, roleplaying, and sexual interaction

[boiteporte 591]

 

 

 This forum is owned by a Canadian.

 

This does not make any difference to what I said. 

[King 5,625]

Concerning the matter at hand, I obviously do not agree with those practices (as you would probably already have noticed). Basically, no matter how horrible they are, they should remain private.

From the standpoint of someone responsible for moderating this site, this would never work. Thats essentially advocating that someone can perform extremely illegal actions over PM and no one can do anything about it. Allowing this to happen would be a gross mistake on the Administrations and Moderation's part as it would essentially be failing to protect this community.

 

As such, I could never personally or professionally agree to those ideals.

 

Edit: Keep in mind that even when something is found to have occurred in a PM, the same privacy rules apply as with all warnings/suspensions/bans. The members involved and the moderation/administration team are the only people that will know of the occurrences in the PM unless it warrants the authorities being made aware.

[boiteporte 591]

 

 

Thats essentially advocating that someone can perform extremely illegal actions over PM and no one can do anything about it.

 

Not entirely true. But that is the main idea.

Of course, the Police is still a viable option.

[Jeric 46,873]

Not entirely true. But that is the main idea.

Of course, the Police is still a viable option.

That is ignoring the mental state of a person being victimized. We are talking about sexual harassment and predators here. Every reasonable option to protect members should be available should the situation require it.

 

Also the staff here represents a large international crossection with many cultural and national views influencing the decision. In the end, morality and fairness have no national borders.

[King 5,625]

 

 

Not entirely true. But that is the main idea. Of course, the Police is still a viable option.

Of course, and we will make the authorities aware if the situation calls for it. However we also have our own policies and rules to enforce. The internet isn't its own country and as such, each site is responsible for its own "policing" so to speak. The exception to this is when something is illegal by the hosting countries laws. That is when police are contacted.

This is a privately owned and operated site and we will not stand for activities that harm this community. If this means that we are called to view a PM because serious concerns have arisen that two or more members are engaging in activities that are illegal or against the rules (aka abuse, sexual roleplay with a minor) then we will do so. The end goal is the protection of this community and thats what we plan on doing.

This tool is not and will not be used for reasons outside of those that we deem necessary to uphold the protection of this community.

[boiteporte 591]

Also the staff here represents a large international crossection with many cultural and national views influencing the decision. In the end, morality and fairness have no national borders.

 

Yes, but, you have morality on one hand and you have the law on the other. And this forum has to follow the law of the country in which the server is hosted. Of course, on MLP Forums, you have the law on your side and this is OK.

On our forums, PMs used to be moderated, and then, problems occurred and that had to stop.

 

Because, in the country I come from, the law prevents PMs on online forums to be viewed by the admins (even if reported).

In the end, the problem does not come from what you do but what you CAN do.

 

Thinking about it, this thread does bring a lot of bad memories and I think I discussed enough.

Edited October 5, 2014 by boiteporte

[Otter 1,942]

Yes, but, you have morality on one hand and you have the law on the other. And this forum has to follow the law of the country in which the server is hosted. Of course, on MLP Forums, you have the law on your side and this is OK.

On our forums, PMs used to be moderated, and then, problems occurred and that had to stop.

 

Because, in the country I come from, the law prevents PMs on online forums to be viewed by the admins (even if reported).

In the end, the problem does not come from what you do but what you CAN do.

 

Thinking about it, this thread does bring a lot of bad memories and I think I discussed enough.

It seems odd to me that you keep saying "the country I come from", yet never mention which country that specifically is. I say this not to accuse or anything of the sort, simply as a matter of interest. I'd like to learn about this country's specific privacy laws. 

[Troblems 5,620]

I think the biggest thing to keep in mind here is using your common sense. Remember that this particular foum allows for people as young as 13. Therefore, there are users who are under age. If you want to get your jollies off, that's your business, but don't do it here. If you aren't doing anything you shouldn't be doing, there's no reason your PMs will be read.

[Mlpfan185 1,763]

Just the fact that this even needed mentioning confirms my recent suspicions.

 

Kudos to the MLPF staff, for once again, clarifying something that should have been blatantly obvious. I'm not even being sarcastic. I administrate and run a few communities, and I understand the workload that you all get buried under. Needing extra time to deliberate and announce something like this should be unnecessary, but sadly you must.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@@SCS,

 

I respect this decision. I have seen in several places around the forums other users telling other users that everything is alright, as long as it is in a PM, even if it breaks the Global Rules. Glad to see that my fears upon reading this were unfounded- especially the part about cracking down especially hard on incest.

[Shanks 10,816]

I can understand on one level why people are concerned, I have been to many forums over the years and this is the first time I have ever seen any forum have any announcement or rule about what can and cannot go in PM's. Of course with these sort of events I can understand why an announcement like this is necessary, I have heard of one of the cases of sexual harassment, I don't know all the details but I think we should agree that is something that shouldn't happen even in PM's and the fact that it has become widespread enough to be one of the main reasons for this announcement is disturbing to me. I have done the occasional innuendo myself but do know that all important rule of when to stop at least in most cases.  I personally could care less if people do NSFW RP's in PM's but if it is advertised on site like I saw in one instance or someone reports it than legally speaking because minors are allowed on this site the staff does have to take action and I hold nothing against them for it.

 

Looking at this announcement though aside from looking at sexual harassment cases more closely and trying to deter that sort of thing I don't think this announcement is going to change much. Realistically the staff cannot read all PM's even if they wanted to which they don't seem to and they know this so unless even if someone posts NSFW material in a PM unless someone reports it or there is a case of harassment or spills the beans to anyone outside the know and word gets to the staff than nobody will probably know anything.

[GenderIsAnIllusion 2,178]

It's for thebest...... Here's just took ma undage users on the sit

[Starshine 16,335]

Huh... I can only imagine what kind of madness took place that would prompt such a reaction. Kudos to the staff to make this kind of public statement

[yeet 2,027]

I understand the harassment bits and stuff. But I find the no excpclit rp bit in pms unfair. If the participants of the pm are fine with it, I see no problem. It's not harming anyone there is it. And it's not like any random person can just go into the pm and look at it.

I think the biggest thing to keep in mind here is using your common sense. Remember that this particular foum allows for people as young as 13. Therefore, there are users who are under age. If you want to get your jollies off, that's your business, but don't do it here. If you aren't doing anything you shouldn't be doing, there's no reason your PMs will be read.

Yeah but pms are kinda supposed to be there so you can say things you can't say for everyone to see. And the name, private message, is clearly a big point for that too. If people are getting harassed and things, fine, let the harasser get in trouble. Just don't basically punish a load of others who haven't done anything, because pm is the only place I can RP with some people. And it isn't hurting anyone is it.

[Troblems 5,620]

If the participants of the pm are fine with it, I see no problem. 

If it wasn't hurting anyone, this announcement wouldn't have been made. When people sign up for the site, they have to agree to the Global Rules. Global implies that anywhere on a Poniverse site the rules apply. Additionally, several incidents have involved minors, which could get the site in hot water, as well as get people arrested for child molestation. So yes, it could be potentially harmful. 

 

The administrators aren't fishing through everyone's PMs. This tool is used only when completely necessary due to the serious nature of the indecent itself. As I said above, if you're not doing anything you shouldn't be, it won't be an issue.

[Mlpfan185 1,763]

I understand the harassment bits and stuff. But I find the no excpclit rp bit in pms unfair. If the participants of the pm are fine with it, I see no problem. It's not harming anyone there is it. And it's not like any random person can just go into the pm and look at it.

Yeah but pms are kinda supposed to be there so you can say things you can't say for everyone to see. And the name, private message, is clearly a big point for that too. If people are getting harassed and things, fine, let the harasser get in trouble. Just don't basically punish a load of others who haven't done anything, because pm is the only place I can RP with some people. And it isn't hurting anyone is it.

 

No, it does cause harm.

 

It doesn't matter what age someone registered with, there is no way short of photo identification (and even that doesn't hold up in court) to prove that the participant is age of consent. If minors are engaging in explicit acts through this website, the owner and host can be in hot water very quickly.

 

Far to often people miss-communicate over the internet; people get their wires crossed on the smallest things. Even if two (or more) people are 'consenting' in private, lines can be crossed and people will feel violated. This site does not exist for anyone to satiate their sexual desires. This is a site about My Little Pony, and the surrounding IP. With all the trouble and bad press surrounding bronies as it is - not mentioning how harsh the court sees these cases - I have a hard time why anyone would be against such moderation.

 

It does cause harm.

 

Edit: As a rule I often follow; if I wouldn't say it in front of my mother, it doesn't need to be on the MLP Forums.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Detective Butler

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

 This forum is owned by a Canadian.

Servers are US though. Law effects were the site is hosted, not were the owner resides.

[Mlpfan185 1,763]

Servers are US though. Law effects were the site is hosted, not were the owner resides.

 

That and; Canadian's have similar laws as well:

http://fightthecharges.com/is-sexting-illegal-ontario-law/

 

No, that law doesn't encompass everything, and I am not doing the research to dig up exact cases. Fact is, the moderation and owner do not feel comfortable with this sort of material on the site; as they shouldn't given the media climate regarding the subject. End of story.

 

Allot of times things are in a nice grey area and easy to debate. In this case, it is a solid black and white decision.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Detective Butler

[Sugar Cuddles 402]

Good to see this. It also encourages people who do want intimate RPs to go to places more appropriate. I could recommend a place, but I think I'll skip on that one xD 

 

PMs means that it's private. But that doesn't mean that one can do and say what they want there. (Mostly because of such things like bullying and such. But in this case it's also to keep accidental sexual content on minors a thing that doesn't happen)

 

I for one, support this new rule :3

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

That and; Canadian's have similar laws as well:

http://fightthecharges.com/is-sexting-illegal-ontario-law/

 

No, that law doesn't encompass everything, and I am not doing the research to dig up exact cases. Fact is, the moderation and owner do not feel comfortable with this sort of material on the site; as they shouldn't given the media climate regarding the subject. End of story.

 

Allot of times things are in a nice grey area and easy to debate. In this case, it is a solid black and white decision.

My statement was really just proving that in law, the server host countries law trumps that of the owners.

 

And I do support the moderation teams decision (although personally with all the legal issues they carry, I'd just not allow children to begin with, minors are such a hassle when it comes to legalities) 

[Mlpfan185 1,763]

My statement was really just proving that in law, the server host countries law trumps that of the owners.

 

And I do support the moderation teams decision (although personally with all the legal issues they carry, I'd just not allow children to begin with, minors are such a hassle when it comes to legalities) 

I was referring to your original quote in that post. "But it's in Canada." Is a deferment I've seen used as a supporting excuse for this very subject more than once. You statement about the U.S. was another great example of why they should do this.

 

Edit: To clarify, I understand the angle you were going at, I am replying to who you quoted. Also, no, this is a site about MLP. It should not lock out the younger crowd in favor of more pornographic content.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Detective Butler

[Oblivion 20,279]

This doesn't surprise me a bit to be honest, with so many minors on the site I am actually surprised that this didn't become a major issue much sooner. And to those that oppose this, all I have to say is stop and think about it for a moment, if illegal activity involving a minor and a legal adult is indeed taking place, then not only could the person that is of legal age get into some real legal issues, but the site as a whole could also be put into jeopardy as well, and even some staff could get into muddy water by knowing or possibly being able to prevent said issue but choosing not to do anything. And furthermore, even if both parties ARE of legal age keep in mind that this is the internet, people lie about things all the time which also includes age.

 

basically  "Watch where you go and remember where ya been" and you'll all be fine.

[yeet 2,027]

If it wasn't hurting anyone, this announcement wouldn't have been made. When people sign up for the site, they have to agree to the Global Rules. Global implies that anywhere on a Poniverse site the rules apply. Additionally, several incidents have involved minors, which could get the site in hot water, as well as get people arrested for child molestation. So yes, it could be potentially harmful. 

 

The administrators aren't fishing through everyone's PMs. This tool is used only when completely necessary due to the serious nature of the indecent itself. As I said above, if you're not doing anything you shouldn't be, it won't be an issue.

Okay. I completely understand where you guys don't want to get into trouble from people doing that kinda stuff, since it isn't your fault it happens. But like, I sometimes do some RP that's nsfw with someone else in pm. Both of us agree to doing it. There's nothing bad going on really. So I don't see why we should stop.

[Mlpfan185 1,763]

There's nothing bad going on really. So I don't see why we should stop.

 

Because the rules of the community say you should. I imagine moderators won't be filtering or looking at every single PM, but if someone says something, after this post, I believe the penalties would be harsher. Not worth the risk when things like Skype exist. There are many more communication outlets than MLPForums.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Detective Butler

[Troblems 5,620]

Okay. I completely understand where you guys don't want to get into trouble from people doing that kinda stuff, since it isn't your fault it happens. But like, I sometimes do some RP that's nsfw with someone else in pm. Both of us agree to doing it. There's nothing bad going on really. So I don't see why we should stop.

And that is your choice. However, you have been warned of the consequences.