Private Messaging...

jemmie • 4 August 2013 at 3:42 PM

Uh...I think I have asked this before, but never really got much a response.

So, can mods see what's going on in a PM?

I'm wondering because first of all, it sort of is PRIVATE. So others shouldn't be able to see them. But if someone says something BAD, there should be mods there.

I started thinking about both sides:
No, they can't see=Privacy, ability to talk about more personal stuff without others seeing it. But nothing for stuff breaking the site terms.
Yes, they can=Making sure everything is under site terms, under regulations, no making trades with real money (Creature for $). But then it wouldn't be...private.

Also, I was thinking again. What if they couldn't see, and the other just told a mod? There wouldn't be proof, especially if the person never did anything bad before. Also, people could get people they didn't...bond with...in trouble even if they didn't do anything, because the mod never knew whether or not they did it.

So can they?

univea • 4 August 2013 at 3:59 PM

@jemmie I dunno. I've always assumed that they can. It's just safer. But I don't think they just look at everything for no reason, only the things that need checking out. I might be wrong ^^;

Uh, let's see... who are the mods? I'll ping someone 😊
@icymuffin? I don't remember any other mods. X3

bubblez • 4 August 2013 at 4:00 PM

@jemmie

Not sure, but I think they can.

I'm pretty sure, if they can, they don't go through them or read them. Until a message is reported.

That doesn't mean you don't have privacy. *Every* website's mods/admins can see your messages. It's only to keep the site clean.

jemmie • 4 August 2013 at 6:41 PM

@bubblez @univea

I guess you're right. *facepalm*

But what if where the swear word/other bad stuff happened, it was out of exasperation because of something personal, etc?

fakeworld • 4 August 2013 at 6:59 PM

@jemmie
I'm assuming they can, when you report a private message it provides them with a ID and not what was said in the message. I understand that they're trying to keep everything safe, but I honestly think, a private message can't be private if someone you don't want to read it can. But I think they only read them once the message has been reported, and then of course they have to monitor whats being said. But what can really be that private, unless you're breaking the rules or what not.

jemmie • 4 August 2013 at 7:30 PM

@fakeworld
I guess you have a point, but I do have close friends on here that I don't see often. (I mean RL friends)

bubblez • 4 August 2013 at 7:37 PM

@jemmie

Well technically, you're still not supposed to. When you go to PM someone, it says "The rules of the site also apply here." so you still shouldn't use language you wouldn't use on the forums. But if they are used, I doubt a mod would know unless the message is reported or they have an automated system that notifies them bad words have been used. But that seems a little too complicated for EggCave ;p So I dunno.

It's best to be safe than sorry.

cirrus • 4 August 2013 at 7:56 PM

@jemmie They can, but I'd assume they only do if it gets reported.

karamel • 5 August 2013 at 5:10 AM

@jemmie Every single site that has an admin can see private things. Ian can see our passwords. He knows our emails. But it's just as a safety precaution.

Even emails are visible to those who have the authority to see your emails (police and other security services, for example). It's all for safety - think about people who do illegal activities. How do they plan it? With spies all around the internet and people monitoring your messages 24/7, obviously they're not going to do it via messaging on Facebook or Twitter, etc. 😋

Also, the swear word filter still applies to PMs. Censor evasion (trying to bypass the filter) is also against the site guidelines.

If you feel like you have to hide questionable content for some reason (excluding privacy reasons), then chances are it's not appropriate for the site. You can always use email if you want to speak to those RL friends, but people still track your emails. Even your ISP can track your online activites (although yes, they too are held back by legal stuff).

It's not just if it gets reported. Again with the illegal activity thing - if two people are organising it via PM on here, obviously they're not going to report each other. 😋

But trust that your information is in safe hands. The moderators have been chosen wisely and not out of a hat.

I speak from past experience on sites and I've had some pretty personal conversations on here via PM. But yeah, just to be safe - @orderedchaos @Ian @zAc @Meteoroid?

Zac • 5 August 2013 at 3:34 PM

@jemmie

EC staff do have the power to view private messages between users. However, we really only go through specific conversations when they are reported by users for violating site rules. When talking in Mail, its possible that a moderator may read what you're typing.

In short, EC staff can (but often don't) read PMs.

And going off what @karamel said, staff CANNOT see your password. (Even Ian can't, as they are encrypted in EC's database) We do have the power to reset your password, however.

Let me know if you have any questions.

jemmie • 5 August 2013 at 5:07 PM

@zAc
Okay thank you. I made the entire thing way more complicated than it is, lol! ❤️ Can you lock this please?

@karamel
Er...*reads giant post*...thanks? xD

@skittlejg @bubblez
Thanks for your comments.

Zac • 5 August 2013 at 5:41 PM

The original question has been answered.

Per the reason above, this topic has been LOCKED. Please contact zAc directly or submit a ticket if you have any questions regarding this action.