Direct Messages: Considered Private?

[Escort Rider]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

And the DM interface also has a "Forward" function button. How does Forwarding play into it?

That's what I was thinking, and it raises an issue a bit different from posting DM's or information from them on the open forum. If the software itself is set up to allow forwarding, then I assume that forwarding a DM to someone else is not ipso facto against the rules.

I view the situation as being similar to email. If we send sensitive information in an email, it sure as hell better be sent to a person whom we trust because it is so easy to forward to multiple people. At least the forwarding function here allows forwarding to only one person at a time (I believe).

[RedZin]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

Not a big gripe, or anything, but that seems to be a bit obscure in the TOS.
Probably ought to be spelled out clearly, although I am certain TPTB have bigger fish to fry.

It's a common sense thing.

If someone tells you via DM that the tires on a Chevy Impala are made of Cheerios and you repost that on the automotive forum without telling anyone who said it? Not a big deal.

If someone tells you they have an eating disorder and you cut and paste their confession along with their screen name onto the fitness forum, you're violating the TOS. It's the whole "outing" thing.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

I always assume everyone can see everything I post on the internet and that it will live-on in perpetuity - that mindset prevents headaches and embarrassment.

Great point / approach, Dirt Grinder.

The best "Rule Of The Road" . . . don't post anything you wouldn't want to see on the Evening News.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Violates TOS.

Report the post.

Incorrect. Refer to TOS again, please. Thank you.

"You agree that there is no excpectation of privacy when using the Direct Message function."


If a member decides to send you an unsolicited "snarky" DM pertaining to their thoughts about a particular thread, it is within your rights to post it, and rebut it.

[RedZin]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Incorrect. Refer to TOS again, please. Thank you.

"You agree that there is no excpectation of privacy when using the Direct Message function."


If a member decides to send you an unsolicited "snarky" DM pertaining to their thoughts about a particular thread, it is within your rights to post it, and rebut it.

Nope. I disagree. I have read the TOS.

If someone sends you a "snarky" DM, you can choose to ignore it or you can choose to send them a reply via DM.

Copying and pasting it onto the boards will just lead to you getting an infraction for attacking someone.

Why would anyone think that is a good idea?

The whole line you quoted above means that people cannot expect that others will not forward their DMs or tell people about the subject matter, or take any photos that they send to them and publish them (elsewhere, for we don't allow it here) on the internet.

It doesn't give anyone free license to cut and paste DMs and start arguments on the boards.

Again, I say...

Why on earth would anyone think that would be a good idea?

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Nope. I disagree. I have read the TOS.

I've pushed the question forward, as i do believe that you're misinterpreting the TOS.

[elnina]

Well, you posted just a fragment of the "about DM's" notice.
Here is the whole paragraph:

"You agree that there is no expectation of privacy when using the Direct Message function. For instance, you agree that your use of the Direct Message function may be monitored by our computerized spam detection system. You agree that if we have substantial reasons to suspect that you used our forum's Direct Message function to send unsolicited messages promoting commercial interests or otherwise broke our Terms of Service, the City-Data.com staff may view Direct Messages that have been flagged as such."

It states that you should not expect privacy when using DM function, but also gives reasonable examples when you should not expect such:
1. your DM may be monitored by our computerized spam detection system
2. you send unsolicited messages promoting commercial interests or otherwise broke our Terms of Service

It clearly means that while all activities on city-data are monitored for spam, that process is automated, and no one physically reads your DM's except the recipient. However if there is substantial reasons to suspect that your DM broke City-Data Terms of Service - that message could be reviewed by the website staff (senior mods, admin or IT)

City Data members (except the recipient), and mods have no access to your DM's. Yet, if someone sent a DM about committing a crime, suicidal ideations, national or personal threats, spam, porn, soliciting or other stuff that is against ToS AND the recipient notify senior mods/admin about such DM - then of course they have every right to look into it, and take appropriate action.

Does that mean that your DM is not private? No. Your DM is private until is flagged - by the automated monitored system, or when a recipient complaints about it to the senior staff.

People on Internet should follow an Internet etiquette = netiquette.
One of the rules is to respect others' privacy. And that means: do not quote or forward personal email/or messages without the original author's permission.

People not familiar with netiquette should take the time, and read about the correct or acceptable way of communicating on the Internet.
Netiquette, by Virginia Shea, Table of Contents and Welcome Page

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by elnina

People on Internet should follow an Internet etiquette = netiquette.
One of the rules is to respect others' privacy. And that means: do not quote or forward personal email/or messages without the original author's permission.

People not familiar with netiquette should take the time, and read about the correct or acceptable way of communicating on the Internet.
Netiquette, by Virginia Shea, Table of Contents and Welcome Page

This is your personal opinion, and you are entitled to it. But i disagree, of course. I don't feel that a sender should expect that a "snarky/caustic" unsolicited DM will remain private. It's fair game. If you're not friendly with the recipient, you should have no expectation of privacy.

[CSD610]

If you are going to argue with the Moderators about this issue why did you even ask the question?

In my opinion a direct message is to remain private unless I give permission for it to be posted to the boards.
If it is a deragatory direct message I will report it to a moderator otherwise I generally delete messages after a while and I never forward nor do I cut and paste any part of the message to any of the threads.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by CSD610

If you are going to argue with the Moderators about this issue why did you even ask the question?

What question did i ask?