Email address when making reports | Bitcointalksearch.org

Welsh

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Quote from: Mpamaegbu on May 29, 2022, 12:18:05 PM

Seriously, I've wondered what's the need to expose reporters' emails since notes and responses to the report can be sent to reporters through PMs. It makes it look like exposing the privacy of those who use the "report to moderators" tab. It's like reporting a criminal at a police station and then police ask you to write down your name and address. It doesn't make sense, honestly. On a few occasions my posts were deleted, I got reports in pm here in the forum. So, it shows that asking for emails can be avoided and it won't destabilize the forum

It's a default SMF feature, which has been explained has since been removed. For additional confirmation, I don't see anyone's email when they report.

Quote from: suzanne5223 on May 30, 2022, 05:18:31 PM

I understand your point because decentralization, no censorship and privacy should be part of this forum.

Well, this forum has never been truly decentralised, and not that it needs to be either. Not everything needs to be decentralised, and there's obvious examples of it being detrimental. Although, there are features like the trust system which tries to be decentralised as much as possible, which might be what you're thinking of.

What's collected on this forum (IPs) are used for account recoveries, so while the privacy isn't completely private, it's at least used for something useful.

suzanne5223

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Quote from: Mpamaegbu on May 29, 2022, 12:18:05 PM

Quote from: suzanne5223 on May 21, 2022, 08:08:31 AM

No, there's no way to put turn it off because that's how the "Report to moderator" functions but I believe it is used to track the number of reports made by each user.

Seriously, I've wondered what's the need to expose reporters' emails since notes and responses to the report can be sent to reporters through PMs. It makes it look like exposing the privacy of those who use the "report to moderators" tab. It's like reporting a criminal at a police station and then police ask you to write down your name and address. It doesn't make sense, honestly. On a few occasions my posts were deleted, I got reports in pm here in the forum. So, it shows that asking for emails can be avoided and it won't destabilize the forum

I understand your point because decentralization, no censorship and privacy should be part of this forum. But, someone has explained how the email of the person that makes a report is shown to the moderator and according to the research done by Halab when this issue was raised, the feature was removed in January 2018 which I believe clarifies the reason why OmegaStarScream said he/she didn't see any user email here.

Mpamaegbu

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Quote from: suzanne5223 on May 21, 2022, 08:08:31 AM

No, there's no way to put turn it off because that's how the "Report to moderator" functions but I believe it is used to track the number of reports made by each user.

Seriously, I've wondered what's the need to expose reporters' emails since notes and responses to the report can be sent to reporters through PMs. It makes it look like exposing the privacy of those who use the "report to moderators" tab. It's like reporting a criminal at a police station and then police ask you to write down your name and address. It doesn't make sense, honestly. On a few occasions my posts were deleted, I got reports in pm here in the forum. So, it shows that asking for emails can be avoided and it won't destabilize the forum

PrimeNumber7

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Quote from: Halab on May 23, 2022, 08:05:34 AM

I did a little search in the Staff section, and for the record the ability to send an email for each report was removed in January 2018.

So if you did a report in 2017 or earlier, it's possible that a mod has your email address somewhere. But if I believe this answer from a mod (I won't name him

) following this change, you don't risk a lot :

Quote

I had a filter set up as well though I recently changed it to move all the messages to the trashcan. Guess that's no longer needed.

If this is accurate, the warning should probably be removed.

Quote from: NotATether on May 24, 2022, 02:37:37 AM

I'd be inclined to believe that because the email addresses are stored in a MYSQL database along with the report contents, that only admins are able to read them, as they have direct access to the DB.

I don't think the forum uses MySQL. It appears that SMF may use Oracle databases by default, although theymos has customized the forum software, and the new forum software uses postgressSQL, so he may be using that.

I would agree that only certain admins have access to the forum database, although the OP was pointing out specific situations in which certain mods had permissions to view certain data from the database under particular circumstances. This is different than a moderator making an arbitrary query to the database.

TheBeardedBaby

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From what I read until here is that after 2018 (probably) only Theymos has access to see the user email addresse with or without reports.
But is it the same with reporting private messages, you get the same message with you report PMs.

On the other hand, I created an email only for to use it here and even if some of the mods knows it, it won't be any problem for me.
I don't believe that they will sell my data to third parties, but even if they do, and I get hacked, I can recover quite easily signing a message from my staked address.

NotATether

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Quote from: Husires on May 21, 2022, 09:33:37 AM

It is best to assume that global moderators have access to your email, and that admins has the authority to know your email even if you do not make a report.

if you read privacy page you will find that email Retention is Indefinite

I'd be inclined to believe that because the email addresses are stored in a MYSQL database along with the report contents, that only admins are able to read them, as they have direct access to the DB.

Global mods I'm not so sure. But given that these merely are given mod powers in all boards by SMF software, I don't think they have access to the DB either - to give such an access would be catastrophic to security anyway, and it reflects in the security bounty rewards for gaining access to the two types of account.

Pmalek

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Quote from: Z-tight on May 23, 2022, 10:22:18 AM

For some people it could be, i know people that create email accounts with a combination of all of their names, not that it can affect them too much, but it is somehow connected to their identity in real life.

Yeah, but you should avoid that in the first place. Like I said, there is no reason to use an email that shows your real name or one connected with a third-party site where your name can be obtained from there. This is a forum where you are not asked to identify yourself, so it's better if people used that to their advantage. A username is everything you need.

No one should unnecessarily risk putting a target on their backs by revealing what street they live on, how they look, what their names are, and how many Bitcoins they have managed to collect after all these years.

Welsh

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Quote from: Z-tight on May 23, 2022, 10:22:18 AM

I do have faith in them, i asked this question to be sure, i wanted to know the reason why, and to know what function it serves, and to also know if it doesn't serve any function at all, of which we can then suggest for it to be removed, so it doesn't stop people who do not have faith like i do from making good reports.

Right, so the reason why is likely this is a default Simple Machines Forum implementation, and just wasn't addressed until a couple of years ago. Although, it's probably best to assume that the email you have registered with will be seen, and to be cautious with that, since the forum could be attacked, and data leaked, like a few years ago or simply admins might be able to see your email. The good news is you can prevent the former by changing your email now if it connects you in anyway to your meatspace identity.

Poker Player

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Quote from: Z-tight on May 23, 2022, 10:22:18 AM

That would be the search button wouldn't it, some other people would use this too: http://ninjastic.space/

Maybe my mistake when I was trying to look something up is that I used google. I will try those next time.

tranthidung

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Quote from: Halab on May 23, 2022, 08:05:34 AM

I did a little search in the Staff section, and for the record the ability to send an email for each report was removed in January 2018.

It is what I thought of.

From your checking, the problem now is only from the outdated message that should be adjusted to be more relevant with the report procedure on the forum since January 2018.

Z-tight

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Quote from: Pmalek on May 23, 2022, 03:53:22 AM

Doesn't seem like too big of a problem to be honest. Your forum email account shouldn't be something that is connected to your real identity anyways.

For some people it could be, i know people that create email accounts with a combination of all of their names, not that it can affect them too much, but it is somehow connected to their identity in real life.

Quote from: Smartvirus on May 23, 2022, 07:41:43 AM

Although, you've got to have faith in the forum and it's moderators to be of integrity and I can't say any have given us cause to be alarmed yet and that's to the best of my knowledge.

I do have faith in them, i asked this question to be sure, i wanted to know the reason why, and to know what function it serves, and to also know if it doesn't serve any function at all, of which we can then suggest for it to be removed, so it doesn't stop people who do not have faith like i do from making good reports.

Quote from: Halab on May 23, 2022, 08:05:34 AM

I did a little search in the Staff section, and for the record the ability to send an email for each report was removed in January 2018.

There we have the answer to the question, it is all good then.

Quote from: Poker Player on May 23, 2022, 10:04:33 AM

Sorry for this slightly off-topic question, but how are you able to find a specific quote from so long ago?

Sometimes I see some forum members do it and wonder how. Some use them so much that it looks like they have them saved somewhere.

That would be the search button wouldn't it, some other people would use this too: http://ninjastic.space/

Poker Player

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Quote from: Lucius on May 21, 2022, 09:37:33 AM

Quote from: hilariousandco on September 10, 2014, 08:34:35 AM

Only certain mods can see it - I can't for instance - but I agree that if it doesn't need to be there then it should be removed.

Sorry for this slightly off-topic question, but how are you able to find a specific quote from so long ago?

Sometimes I see some forum members do it and wonder how. Some use them so much that it looks like they have them saved somewhere.

Halab

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I find your lack of faith in Bitcoin disturbing.

I did a little search in the Staff section, and for the record the ability to send an email for each report was removed in January 2018.

So if you did a report in 2017 or earlier, it's possible that a mod has your email address somewhere. But if I believe this answer from a mod (I won't name him

) following this change, you don't risk a lot :

Quote

I had a filter set up as well though I recently changed it to move all the messages to the trashcan. Guess that's no longer needed.

Smartvirus

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Quote from: Z-tight on May 21, 2022, 06:43:05 AM

If you decide to report a post on the forum it says that your email address would be revealed to the moderator, does it mean your email address would be revealed to only the moderator that handles the case? Is there a way to put it off that the moderator wouldn't see your email address, for people who do not want their email address revealed OR can moderators see your email address even without you making a report, or is it only the admin that has that power?

It's a very sensitive observation and question your asking with the fact that, our mail addresses are hidden by default except you chose to make it public and that's entirely up to you. Having the knowledge that some actions can lead to exposure as a privacy concerned individual can result in mixed feelings. Although, you've got to have faith in the forum and it's moderators to be of integrity and I can't say any have given us cause to be alarmed yet and that's to the best of my knowledge.

A moderator is the best to answer this question and I can see a few have responded yet from what is obtainable at there end. Perhaps this counts towards that notation in trying to file a report because, its sure not to apply in every case. Just my thought though but, this works to the later.

Quote from: SFR10 on May 23, 2022, 06:41:26 AM

Quote from: Pmalek on May 23, 2022, 03:53:22 AM

But then again, maybe Xal0lex never saw the email addresses in the first place

Considering that Xal0lex moderates the Russian board and what "mitzie" said back in 2015, if that was still the case for some of the moderators/staff, Xal0lex would've gotten those:

Quote from: mitzie on January 18, 2015, 06:24:57 AM
Only the specific board moderator(s) can see your email when you report a post.

For example if you report a post in the Greek board (in which I'm the board moderator), I receive an email from the forum saying that you reported a post, and that's when I can see your email (in my mailbox, not in the forum)

Also, if you report a post made by a newbie, your email is not known to all the patrollers, but as I said only to the board moderator (if there is one)

These responses are actionable by default and the exposure counts to why moderators and positions in the forum aren't just given off anyhow. Best advice, you don't have to use an all too official mail in your detailing on the forum. Mail addresses are editable and should it be of concern, you can edit to a less official but active mail address.

SFR10

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Quote from: Pmalek on May 23, 2022, 03:53:22 AM

But then again, maybe Xal0lex never saw the email addresses in the first place

Considering that Xal0lex moderates the Russian board and what "mitzie" said back in 2015, if that was still the case for some of the moderators/staff, Xal0lex would've gotten those:

Quote from: mitzie on January 18, 2015, 06:24:57 AM
Only the specific board moderator(s) can see your email when you report a post.

For example if you report a post in the Greek board (in which I'm the board moderator), I receive an email from the forum saying that you reported a post, and that's when I can see your email (in my mailbox, not in the forum)

Also, if you report a post made by a newbie, your email is not known to all the patrollers, but as I said only to the board moderator (if there is one)

Pmalek

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Doesn't seem like too big of a problem to be honest. Your forum email account shouldn't be something that is connected to your real identity anyways. But I agree that there is no reason to keep logs of it. If what Xal0lex said is correct, that's no longer happening anyways. But then again, maybe Xal0lex never saw the email addresses in the first place and this is something only the admins can answer correctly.

tranthidung

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Quote from: Z-tight on May 21, 2022, 06:43:05 AM

If you decide to report a post on the forum it says that your email address would be revealed to the moderator

Before talking about the next question, I would like to let you know that the forum allows users to register with dummy (unreal) email address. Some applies it to change their emails and abandon their accounts.

You can do it too but make sure if you don't want to abandon your account, you must stake your Bitcoin address with a signed message from it. That will be helpful to recover your account, just in case in future.

Quote

does it mean your email address would be revealed to only the moderator that handles the case?

Perhaps it is a warning message with old forum and theymos forgot to adjust the message to avoid confusion for members

Xal0lex

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Quote from: Z-tight on May 21, 2022, 06:43:05 AM

If you decide to report a post on the forum it says that your email address would be revealed to the moderator, does it mean your email address would be revealed to only the moderator that handles the case? Is there a way to put it off that the moderator wouldn't see your email address, for people who do not want their email address revealed OR can moderators see your email address even without you making a report, or is it only the admin that has that power?

This function hasn't worked for a long time. You can ignore this phrase (Please note that your email address will be revealed to the moderators if you use this.). It's just that theymos hasn't deleted it yet. Moderators process tens of thousands of reports every month. Imagine what their inboxes would be like

PrimeNumber7

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I may be mistaken, but I understand that all mods who can handle a particular report will receive an email about the report, similar to how someone will receive an email when they receive a PM from someone. I assume this is a configurable setting, and there are many posts that are reported, so some mods may have these email notifications disabled. I believe the user's email address is revealed in this email.

The Sceptical Chymist

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Quote from: Upgrade00 on May 21, 2022, 11:09:00 AM

I personally cannot think of a particular reason why a user's email address needs to be revealed when they create reports, it doesn't affect or influence the outcome of the reports and does not provide any relevant information for the mods.

I can't either, and I'm assuming that message and the fact that a member's e-mail is revealed to the mods (if that's actually the case) is a relic of the past, meaning it might have served some function back in 2009 but is only an unwanted violation of privacy in 2022. Not a massive violation, mind you, but your e-mail address should only be seen by forum staff who absolutely need to know it IMO.

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I personally cannot think of a particular reason why a user's email address needs to be revealed when they create reports, it doesn't affect or influence the outcome of the reports and does not provide any relevant information for the mods.

It's however safe to assume that once you register on the forum, your details are visible to certain members of the moderating and administration team, so acting accordingly and choosing what address to use use important.

Lucius

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Quote from: OmegaStarScream on May 21, 2022, 06:46:19 AM

I can't see the user's email whether it is in reports or in their profile. I'm not sure about global mods though, it might be different for them.

I can't find that post, but I'm pretty sure @hilariousandco has confirmed that he doesn't see the email addresses of users who have reported a post. I’m not sure when he became a global mod, but back in 2014 he was at least a mod or part of the staff when he wrote the following :

Quote from: hilariousandco on September 10, 2014, 08:34:35 AM

Only certain mods can see it - I can't for instance - but I agree that if it doesn't need to be there then it should be removed.

Husires

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It is best to assume that global moderators have access to your email, and that admins has the authority to know your email even if you do not make a report.

if you read privacy page you will find that email Retention is Indefinite

Quote

Use a new email account, an email forwarding service, or similar. Do not use a "disposable" email account, as email resets to publicly-accessible disposable emails is a common cause of accounts getting stolen. It is also currently possible to use a fake email like [email protected], and we may allow signing up without an email address in the future. However, if your account has never had a valid email address, then it will be extremely difficult to recover the account if it is ever stolen.

https://bitcointalk.org/privacy.php

suzanne5223

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Technically, the email should be revealed to the forum global moderators since they are like the eyes and second in command after the Administrators.

Quote from: Z-tight on May 21, 2022, 06:43:05 AM

Is there a way to put it off that the moderator wouldn't see your email address, for people who do not want their email address revealed

No, there's no way to put turn it off because that's how the "Report to moderator" functions but I believe it is used to track the number of reports made by each user.

Quote from: Z-tight on May 21, 2022, 06:43:05 AM

OR can moderators see your email address even without you making a report, or is it only the admin that has that power?

It's only the Admin that has the power to see every user's email but the duty of the moderator is to attend to the issue member reported.

Z-tight

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Quote from: OmegaStarScream on May 21, 2022, 06:46:19 AM

I can't see the user's email whether it is in reports or in their profile. I'm not sure about global mods though, it might be different for them.

And @OmegaStarScream you are a moderator yourself, that means other moderators can't see it too. Maybe only global moderators and admin can see user's email both in reports and in their profile, maybe a global moderator will tell us about it. If this is true, then i think the message users get if they decide to make a report should be changed to specify this.

OmegaStarScream

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I can't see the user's email whether it is in reports or in their profile. I'm not sure about global mods though, it might be different for them.

Z-tight

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If you decide to report a post on the forum it says that your email address would be revealed to the moderator, does it mean your email address would be revealed to only the moderator that handles the case? Is there a way to put it off that the moderator wouldn't see your email address, for people who do not want their email address revealed OR can moderators see your email address even without you making a report, or is it only the admin that has that power?

Topic: Email address when making reports (Read 575 times)