Debunking the Most Recent ECF Conspiracy Theory ( PMs )
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Funny.... I thought it was about a PM the Mods DIDN'T read 
And if the allegation of 'mod's reading PM's' is 'flying around the forum' - why are so many people so surprised about it?
Anyway, thanks Sarge! I'm sure this will put the matter too rest!
And if the allegation of 'mod's reading PM's' is 'flying around the forum' - why are so many people so surprised about it?
Anyway, thanks Sarge! I'm sure this will put the matter too rest!
Just as a side note: People have been crying about privacy on the Internet for years. People have never had and never will have privacy on a computer connected to the Internet or your network at work. If you don't want what you've said known by other people, the government and probably the entire planet, don't say it on the Internet.
I think the issue of privacy is a huge deal. I don't think it is right to assume that one should expect to have their privacy violated jus5 because its the internet, those of you who think that would be the 1st ones to kick and scream if a mistake were made by a vendor that caused your CC number to end up in the wrong hands. Imagine if a vendor said "well if you want some privacy......"
One more thing, the logic that the number of pm's being so many that they couldn't be reading ANY is faulty.
Just be safe and assume you don't have any privacy or it will bite you later. I am a system administrator for a large network. I can see everything everyone does. I can look at every email, every document, every file, even chats are logged. I don't look at it because 1. I don't care and 2. I'm too busy. Just remember that someone, somewhere can see everything you do on the Internet. It's not a question of should there be privacy, the question is whether there is privacy and the answer is no.
Agreed in theory, however, in practice we like to assume a level of privacy, and its not wrong to want those who violate our privacy to be held accountable. Just because someone COULD be watching, it doesn't make it less unethical.
Every time I start my car I could be the victim of a mob hit gone wrong, but just because I could, doesn't mean I should expect it to happen,
Every time I start my car I could be the victim of a mob hit gone wrong, but just because I could, doesn't mean I should expect it to happen,
When you send an email it's stored on a server and sometimes kept for years, when you send a text it's sent in plain text and anyone can intercept it, when you store files in "the cloud" the admins can see them, when you post on Facebook everyone can see it, when you search for something your searches are stored on a server, when you carry your cellphone your location is tracked, when you click on a website your IP address and city is tracked, when you take your computer to a repair shop they can see everything on your hard drive, credit card numbers and transactions are stored on a server which the admins can see and hackers can crack, when you put your credit card in a gas pump your information can be stolen, when you give your credit card to the person at the counter your information can be stolen.
On the admin side; after working your .... off for 12 to 15 hours, no admin wants to pour through thousands of messages so, unless you do something illegal, they are not going to waste their time.
On the admin side; after working your .... off for 12 to 15 hours, no admin wants to pour through thousands of messages so, unless you do something illegal, they are not going to waste their time.
A very Good post meli.
And I agree with everything you said with the Exception of this .
The reason I dont agree is because I do not feel that the ECF has Granted any Right to Privacy, either Expressed or Implied, to Members using PMs. And if not No Right to Privacy is Granted, then there can be No Compromise to such a Right.
Consider sending a Letter via the USPS. If the USPS Opens your letter and reads it, your Right to Privacy has not been Violated because you had no Right to Privacy in the First Place. Under the Terms and Conditions that you use the USPS, you Actually Grant the Right of Authorized USPS Employees to Open Letters and Read their contents.
The Concept of the ECF reading All PMs is Not Very Realistic merely do to the sheer Volume of PMs that are Generated Every Day.
But as anyone who has Every had High Level Administrative Rights for a Information or Data software knows, there isnt much that a High Level Administrator Can Not Do or See.
I personally dont Wear Tin Foil Hats. Maybe it is because I never found one that Fits. Or Maybe it is because I dont write things that can get me Kicked Off the ECF if a Mod reads it.
Have I called another Member a Jerk or an Idiot in PM? Sure. Many Times.
But if that is what is Going to get me Kicked Off the ECF than about 75% of the People here are going to be Kick Off with Me.
And I agree with everything you said with the Exception of this .
The reason I dont agree is because I do not feel that the ECF has Granted any Right to Privacy, either Expressed or Implied, to Members using PMs. And if not No Right to Privacy is Granted, then there can be No Compromise to such a Right.
Consider sending a Letter via the USPS. If the USPS Opens your letter and reads it, your Right to Privacy has not been Violated because you had no Right to Privacy in the First Place. Under the Terms and Conditions that you use the USPS, you Actually Grant the Right of Authorized USPS Employees to Open Letters and Read their contents.
The Concept of the ECF reading All PMs is Not Very Realistic merely do to the sheer Volume of PMs that are Generated Every Day.
But as anyone who has Every had High Level Administrative Rights for a Information or Data software knows, there isnt much that a High Level Administrator Can Not Do or See.
I personally dont Wear Tin Foil Hats. Maybe it is because I never found one that Fits. Or Maybe it is because I dont write things that can get me Kicked Off the ECF if a Mod reads it.
Have I called another Member a Jerk or an Idiot in PM? Sure. Many Times.
But if that is what is Going to get me Kicked Off the ECF than about 75% of the People here are going to be Kick Off with Me.
I'm guessing that this theory came about due to someone forwarding a PM to a moderator perhaps?
You guys can read my pms whenever you want btw. It's usually just classifieds chatter, shuffle board strategies, hello kitty fan fiction, Charles in charge trivia, Justin Bieber sightings, mom jeans tips, etc.
You guys can read my pms whenever you want btw. It's usually just classifieds chatter, shuffle board strategies, hello kitty fan fiction, Charles in charge trivia, Justin Bieber sightings, mom jeans tips, etc.
How could something so simple ever fit within the working mindset of a conspiracy theorist AND cause so much ruckus on a modern internet forum?!
Nah, it could never be something as simple as that.
It's gotta be bigger than that, surely!!
Again, I think we all get that, but just because the info is access able it doesn't make doing so ethical, because again, privacy. I go on vacation, someone comes in my house steals my stuff, I return, I call the cops, the cops don't tell me I shouldn't have gone away. No, they try to find the people who stole my stuff, it doesn't matter that anyone could have done, or that they were aided by my absence, it was a crime.
In this the point is not that the info is access able, of course it is, hell my mailbox is accesable to anyone, that being the case, does not negate the right to privacy, that's why we have laws against such things.
Speculation is not a good thing
Actually, if you receive an unwanted/harassing PM from someone, you should report it with the report triangle at the bottom of the PM...just like you report a questionable post.
This is the proper way to receive assistance and the only way that we know you are having trouble.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-forum-rules/51178-forum-rules.html
The Private Message and Blog systems must not be used to slander, libel, or otherwise harass members or suppliers. Misuse of these systems in this manner may result in a permanent ban.
I have to disagree, PM is short for private message, the right to privacy is assumed based on the name.
Also, I have a friend that works in the post office, and according to him its a felony for them to open mail.
Also, I have a friend that works in the post office, and according to him its a felony for them to open mail.
Except no one is doing anything unethical with your PM's. There is no law against a forum admin reading your communications. The terms of service only say that they will not give your information to 3rd parties.
ECF Terms of Service
Anyway, I'm done. There's nothing weird going on at the ECF, and certainly nothing immoral or illegal. Back to my BWB vapage.
ECF Terms of Service
Anyway, I'm done. There's nothing weird going on at the ECF, and certainly nothing immoral or illegal. Back to my BWB vapage.
I miss all the great angst-causing stuff. If Sarge, Roly, staff in general get bored, feel free to read my PMs I'm from the old school of if-it-ain't-encrypted-better-not-mind-if-it-becomes-public.
I do appreciate that the forum rules explicitly do permit vetching about mods and how the site is run via PM; haven't had a reason to care about that, but it is a positive thing to allow.
I'm from the old school of if-it-ain't-encrypted-better-not-mind-if-it-becomes-public. I do appreciate that the forum rules explicitly do permit vetching about mods and how the site is run via PM; haven't had a reason to care about that, but it is a positive thing to allow.
I agree with that. Just like I don't think its reasonable to assume that not one single ECF admin has read someones pm's without them knowing, I also can't really see what the benefit would be.
I would be surprised if it didn't happen.
I would be surprised if it didn't happen.
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