Monitoring Forums

[Falcon]

Forums are monitored by ProBoards.

[Falcon]

Patrick, since you stopped posting by ProBoards members and thus prevent further discussion on the subject of forums being monitored I thought a creation of a new thread was in order. It's only fair that all members be allowed to view the discussions taking place via PM as it "does" involve the entire Community.

[VS Admin]

We are very clear and open about our policies for monitoring forums. As I stated both in the topic you are referring to, and via PM to you:

Our team does review certain forums for TOS violations. This could be because of a tip we received from an outside source, or due to the level of traffic a forum receives and comes flagged up in our system for review.

This is complete public knowledge and has always been.

[Falcon]

What "tip"? That's just it, you claim to have received a tip, yet there are only two people who post in the forum you refer to. Nobody else has ever had access to that private forum. Nobody. Other than you people monitoring it, of course.

[VS Admin]

Falcon, please re-read my message:

"This could be because of a tip we received from an outside source, or due to the level of traffic a forum receives and comes flagged up in our system for review."

[Sassy]

How much traffic can two people create, that you would be tipped off? Holy! LOLOL

[Falcon]

I agree, Sassy. If either of the two people didn't tip anyone, and the traffic volume is low at the best of times, then how could it have been flagged.

Patrick, in otherwords you are saying when a forum is heavily used, i.e. due to level of traffic, then it will be automatically monitored? That scenario could likely fit a large portion of forums in ProBoards.

[VS Admin]

If something is flagged in our system, our team manually takes a look at the forum (one time). If there is an issue, that issue is dealt with. If you get flagged once it doesn't mean we are non-stop monitoring you.

[Sassy]

Apparently it does, though, LOL

And ... I know I didn't flag for forum, because of Falcon and I know he didn't have it flagged because of me .. so who or why was it flagged?  See, that's the answer we're looking for here, why in the first place.   

[Falcon]

We've been warned more than once. Definition then being "non-stop" monitoring is in place. And we didn't even have porn, photos, or videos. Guess freedom of speech is disallowed in ProBoards as well.

[Falcon]

Thanks for allowing this to be aired, Patrick. Unfortunately answers to questions are still a mystery.

[VS Admin]

I already told you the two ways that you can come up for review - our system flagging it due to the amount of traffic or a tip comes in.

Regarding you getting a second warning, after the warning is issued our team re-reviewed the content to ensure it was all removed. It was not, so a 2nd warning was issued. If there was no violation, there would be no reason for our team to come back to the forum.

[Falcon]

How would you know there was a violation if your team didn't monitor?

Do you really think we are stupid? No way would your system flag our private forum under the description and reasons you provided. The only flow of traffic was made by two people...no guests are allowed in and can't access the forum, and there are no other members. Two people, the only two members barely frequented the forum, let alone enough to raise eyebrows at a surge of traffic. Regardless, isn't that the purpose of public forums, to get as many members as possible? The more members, the higher the traffic flow. Therefore, you're really saying that all forums with a high volume of traffic, and thus views and posts will be immediately monitored.

[VS Admin]

You're calling me a liar? When I have the answers and I'm telling you the straight truth? I have been 100% forthright and honest this entire conversation. We are open and honest with our members. If someone has a question, we answer it. I explained to you how our system works. Nothing I've said is a lie.

The fact of the matter is our team found content that violates our Terms of Service. We asked for it to be removed. ProBoards is a family friendly service. We have clear Community Guidelines laid out that explain what is and is not acceptable. If you want to post content that falls outside our allowed guidelines, I can provide recommendations for other services (e.g. host your own), since we do not allow that type of content.

[Falcon]

Actually I didn't call you a liar. I simply stated you are not providing the answers. And I asked you if you really believe we are stupid. You contradict yourself. Are you lying? Not my words or thoughts...your words.