Required Thread Editing Law

[bigballofyarn]

This doesn't pertain to a specific ProBoards forum. We have a plugin where we can prevent users from deleting posts on desktop devices, but we're required to give them a minimum of 5 minutes to at least edit their posts. I was told that this was "required by law." Can someone specify which law(s)? I'm a member of a non-ProBoards forum that has never allowed post editing. People are bringing up features they want added to this forum, and I'd like to add legal reasons behind my suggestion to allow editing along with people wanting to be able to correct typos rather than triple post. 

Edit:
I won't take your reply as legal advice. There is no legal issue on this forum. We're only discussing feature requests. If there is a requirement where one needs the ability to at least edit their posts for 5 minutes, I'd like to direct them to that and I won't involve ProBoards since it has nothing to do with you.

[Lynx]

Apr 10, 2024 7:58:41 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

This doesn't pertain to a specific ProBoards forum. We have a plugin where we can prevent users from deleting posts on desktop devices, but we're required to give them a minimum of 5 minutes to at least edit their posts. I was told that this was "required by law." Can someone specify which law(s)? I'm a member of a non-ProBoards forum that has never allowed post editing. People are bringing up features they want added to this forum, and I'd like to add legal reasons behind my suggestion to allow editing along with people wanting to be able to correct typos rather than triple post. 

Edit:
I won't take your reply as legal advice. There is no legal issue on this forum. We're only discussing features requests. If there is a requirement where one needs the ability to at least edit their posts for 5 minutes, I'd like to direct them to that and I won't involve ProBoards since it has nothing to do with you.

If you're referring to the Disable editing after a set time plugin, according to the description in the Library:

Disable editing after a set time said:

The minimum time allowed is 5 minutes, this is to ensure that any poster has a chance to remove or edit their post. This is a TOS requirement and cannot be removed or reduced. Sorry.

The minimum of 5 minutes looks to be a PB ToS restriction, not a law (that I know of). Perhaps Todge (plugin creator) or a PB Admin can point out which section of the ToS it would violate.

[bigballofyarn]

Lynx,

Ahhhhh. Perhaps I either mixed up information from two different things, or incorrectly remembered "ToS violation" as "law violation."

Good to know.

I might research it on the side either way. The forum is a fan club for a band. They probably have a legal team that should be aware of such a law, should one exist anyway.

Thank you!

[Michael]

There isn't a legal requirement that I know of that would prohibit the disabling of editing.

That said, I think the 5 minute allowance is a good idea. If someone was to post something that falls into the Personally Identifiable Information category (their address, name, phone number, etc.) and asked us (ProBoards) to remove that content, we would honor that request regardless of how much time has passed.

I hope this helps!

[atlantic]

Apr 10, 2024 8:48:51 GMT -8 Michael said:

There isn't a legal requirement that I know of that would prohibit the disabling of editing.

That said, I think the 5 minute allowance is a good idea. If someone was to post something that falls into the Personally Identifiable Information category (their address, name, phone number, etc.) and asked us (ProBoards) to remove that content, we would honor that request regardless of how much time has passed.

I hope this helps!

But is it a "TOS requirement?"

[Scott]

atlantic - it is not a TOS requirement, but is a PB requirement.

[atlantic]

Apr 10, 2024 12:39:12 GMT -8 Scott said:

atlantic - it is not a TOS requirement, but is a PB requirement.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand the difference. Are forums admins required to wait at least 5 minutes after a post before they can lock it?

[Scott]

Apr 10, 2024 12:59:36 GMT -8 atlantic said:

Apr 10, 2024 12:39:12 GMT -8 Scott said:

atlantic - it is not a TOS requirement, but is a PB requirement.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand the difference. Are forums admins required to wait at least 5 minutes after a post before they can lock it?

The PB requirement is that there is no automated process that immediately prevents edits and deletes. Each member has the right to ether remove, or edit their post within a reasonable time upon making the post.

However, this does not override the option for forum staff to manually delete or edit a post, or lock a thread.

[atlantic]

Apr 10, 2024 14:49:16 GMT -8 Scott said:

Apr 10, 2024 12:59:36 GMT -8 atlantic said:

I'm sorry, but I don't understand the difference. Are forums admins required to wait at least 5 minutes after a post before they can lock it?

The PB requirement is that there is no automated process that immediately prevents edits and deletes. Each member has the right to ether remove, or edit their post within a reasonable time upon making the post.

However, this does not override the option for forum staff to manually delete or edit a post, or lock a thread.

Ok, I think I understand, but just to be sure... Forum admins can manually lock a post, preventing its author from editing or deleting it, immediately after it's posted and well before 5 minutes have elapsed, but if it's done automatically with a plugin, there must be a 5 minute delay at minimum. Is that right?

[Scott]

Apr 10, 2024 15:58:35 GMT -8 atlantic said:

Apr 10, 2024 14:49:16 GMT -8 Scott said:

The PB requirement is that there is no automated process that immediately prevents edits and deletes. Each member has the right to ether remove, or edit their post within a reasonable time upon making the post.

However, this does not override the option for forum staff to manually delete or edit a post, or lock a thread.

Ok, I think I understand, but just to be sure... Forum admins can manually lock a post, preventing its author from editing or deleting it, immediately after it's posted and well before 5 minutes have elapsed, but if it's done automatically with a plugin, there must be a 5 minute delay at minimum. Is that right?

Basically correct - with the exception that posts cannot be locked, only threads.

[Kami]

Apr 10, 2024 16:02:23 GMT -8 Scott said:

Apr 10, 2024 15:58:35 GMT -8 atlantic said:

Ok, I think I understand, but just to be sure... Forum admins can manually lock a post, preventing its author from editing or deleting it, immediately after it's posted and well before 5 minutes have elapsed, but if it's done automatically with a plugin, there must be a 5 minute delay at minimum. Is that right?

Basically correct - with the exception that posts cannot be locked, only threads.

Just some added clarity: you can still disable editing / deleting posts via the plugin with the 5 min delay, it's just the terminology of "locking" only applies to threads as it's the name of an actual built-in function.

[atlantic]

Apr 10, 2024 16:02:23 GMT -8 Scott said:

Apr 10, 2024 15:58:35 GMT -8 atlantic said:

Ok, I think I understand, but just to be sure... Forum admins can manually lock a post, preventing its author from editing or deleting it, immediately after it's posted and well before 5 minutes have elapsed, but if it's done automatically with a plugin, there must be a 5 minute delay at minimum. Is that right?

Basically correct - with the exception that posts cannot be locked, only threads.

Well, technically all posts in a locked thread are locked.

Thanks for clarifying, and for your patience with me.

[Scott]

Apr 10, 2024 16:19:53 GMT -8 atlantic said:

Apr 10, 2024 16:02:23 GMT -8 Scott said:

Basically correct - with the exception that posts cannot be locked, only threads.

Well, technically all posts in a locked thread are locked.

Thanks for clarifying, and for your patience with me.

Touché - you are correct.  I should have been more precise as what I meant to say was an individual post cannot be locked.