FiB3R Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I had quick search for this, but drew a blank. How come our PM's get censored? I just sent a PM that contained a link to a site that it seems neowin has on a blacklist. I can understand why we are not allowed to post links like this on the forums, but in our PM's? I reckon that's censorship gone a little too far, and amounts to nothing more than a pain in the arse, when trying to get a link passed along to a fellow user. I do fully realise that having access to these forums, and being able to take part, and all the good stuff that comes with it is a privilege, and not a God given right, but PM's should be personal, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted September 13, 2008 Subscriber² Share Posted September 13, 2008 I've never seen sites blacklisted before, unless I'm guessing if they're obviously against rules - Spam/Warez/Something Illegal. I guess even if it's through PMs, Neowin is still liable for discussing/being related to said site, as the PMs while private still exist on the Neowin server. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C++ Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Why would PMs be any different than forum posts? If that were the case, spam bots would just send everyone PMs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouldy Punk Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I had quick search for this, but drew a blank. How come our PM's get censored? I just sent a PM that contained a link to a site that it seems neowin has on a blacklist.I can understand why we are not allowed to post links like this on the forums, but in our PM's? I reckon that's censorship gone a little too far, and amounts to nothing more than a pain in the arse, when trying to get a link passed along to a fellow user. I do fully realise that having access to these forums, and being able to take part, and all the good stuff that comes with it is a privilege, and not a God given right, but PM's should be personal, right? Doesn't matter how private it is. If a link to a dodgy site is found on neowin's servers, neowin could be held responsible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NienorGT Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I've never seen sites blacklisted before, unless I'm guessing if they're obviously against rules - Spam/Warez/Something Illegal.Well, they blacklisted tinyurl because people exploited it to spam etc...Ex: http:www.<< spam >>/ They also block sites that regularly Spam Neowin, like those Game CDKEY spam. I think the filter on IPB pass on everything from posts to PMs, there is no exceptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiB3R Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 I've never seen sites blacklisted before, unless I'm guessing if they're obviously against rules - Spam/Warez/Something Illegal.I guess even if it's through PMs, Neowin is still liable for discussing/being related to said site, as the PMs while private still exist on the Neowin server. Doesn't matter how private it is. If a link to a dodgy site is found on neowin's servers, neowin could be held responsible. It was for a public news/warez site, but not for something I consider to be warez. I didn't think/realise that neowin could be held responsible for what I send in a PM. I mean, I know nothing you send over the ether is 100% safe from prying eyes, but just who has access to my PM's? Why would PMs be any different than forum posts? If that were the case, spam bots would just send everyone PMs. I'm not sure what you mean, or that it applies in this case. Anyway, I'm not trying to rock the boat here, I was just a little surprised at the fact. Maybe I should take another look at the rules, I take it we are not allowed to send links to certain types of sites in PM's? Or is it just part of the filtering system, that also effects PM's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted September 13, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 13, 2008 We add sites to the blacklist after they have been abused. IPB applies that blacklist to both forum posts and PMs. Presumably this is because spammers could try to spread their message through both. I mean, I know nothing you send over the ether is 100% safe from prying eyes, but just who has access to my PM's? I don't. Presumably if our servers were ceased due to a court order or something. That isn't particularly likely to happen though as we try not to court trouble with the, ah, courts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Maybe I should take another look at the rules, I take it we are not allowed to send links to certain types of sites in PM's? Or is it just part of the filtering system, that also effects PM's? Warez is not allowed on Neowin. PMs are on Neowin. Ergo, warez is not allowed in PMs. Use email or IM if you must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Lyle Global Moderator Posted September 13, 2008 Global Moderator Share Posted September 13, 2008 It's blocked for everyones protection. We could easily come under attack from a spammer sending a "blacklisted" link. If you really wanted to send a link, take Joels advice, or put spaces in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shockz Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Filters are applied in PM's because typically spammers post and PM at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pHaez Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I mean, I know nothing you send over the ether is 100% safe from prying eyes, but just who has access to my PM's? PM's get stored in the database, so technically anybody with physical server access, or access to the mysql database they are stored in, would have access to PM's sent via this site. That would include Developers and Admins. Though, IPB splits PM's into multiple tables, so one has to search for the PM in a user's inbox to get the id, and then search another table for the actual PM using that id. As it is a tedious process, the only times we ever do such is when a rule violation via PM is reported (generally spamming, or threats). This is why, if you ever report a violating PM, you must leave it in your inbox. Once you, and the sending party delete the PM, it is gone for good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Veteran Posted September 14, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 14, 2008 Once you, and the sending party delete the PM, it is gone for good. But, again, for court orders, we could retrieve a backup if required to do so by law. I'm not aware that we've had to do this yet. What I would say though to the original poster is thanks for asking with a bit of respect :p All too often on these forums we have 'demands' and flag waving about human rights, but you just asked with genuine intrigue. It's appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonick Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 It's blocked for everyones protection. We could easily come under attack from a spammer sending a "blacklisted" link. If you really wanted to send a link, take Joels advice, or put spaces in it? Nobody's protection except the site's owners and management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted September 14, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 14, 2008 Nobody's protection except the site's owners and management. If our servers were to get seized due to a member's behaviour than our members would suffer as well. I'd end up, y'know, spending more time with my wife and stuff... shudder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveLegg Developer Posted September 14, 2008 Developer Share Posted September 14, 2008 But, again, for court orders, we could retrieve a backup Retrieve a what? :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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