Are PM's really PRIVATE ??

Cynthia may be able to shed more light on this - but here is what I know....

I cannot read PMs. UNLESS they are forwarded to me by someone. But there is not software back door that allows me, or any other moderator (unless they have some sort of super power I don't) to go into your account and read your PMs.

They are private. However, if you are being abusive and freaky in them, they can be reported and dealt with. So if you start sending freaky porn PMs - you will probably get reported and get in trouble...just sayin', since I know that is something you would do. :LOL

As for sign up info? Like what?

but if someone requested a freaky porn pm that would be okay, right?

It's probably safer to send it via email.

Seriously, here's how I see it:

Somebody wants kefir grains, or an item I'm selling on the TP. She can email me her real addy without it being posted on the web.

However, when I get obnoxios PMs telling me that I can solve the "discipline problems" with my 8yo and includes links to a pro- corporal punishment website, I can forward the offensive PM to Cynthia and the weirdo gets kicked off MDC.

If someone really feels uncomfortable with the PM, then they should and do report it. Most times, people ignore it if they get a nasty one.

So it just depends on the person. PMs being reported is pretty rare though. I have only had a couple forwarded to me since I have been a mod. But sometimes there are things that make people feel badly, or scared, or are innappropriate on all level.

If someone requests the freaky porn, you go right ahead, mama g!

also, be aware that if you send a pm that person can forward to a mod or to anyone at all who you may prefer they didn't send it to--anyone

that is the only way that my "private" messages have ever been made "unprivate" as far as I know

so if you think that could happen with that person then be careful what you say

Actually, I only got an offensive PM once, and by the time Cynthia posted "forward the pm to me" the member had already been banned (due to posting stuff that promoted corporal punishment.)

I can think of very few situations in which I'd forward a PM to a mod, and some of those would involve the police as well.

most message board software encrypts user passwords, so it would be hard for an administrator to read PMs-- as far as I know, which isn't all that much.

I've heard that with vBulletin Admins can access your PM's

Yes. I have a friend who can. It's part of the vB package.

There is not a specific tool as part of the vB package that will allow a moderator or administrator to read a PM. If you want to check that out you can ask vBulletin info@vbulletin.com

Someone may hack their board to be able to do so but we have not.

If a member complains about inappropriate use of the PM system they may forward the PM to us as part of the complaint. If an complaint is made with accusation then we do ask for a copy of the offensive message to address the issue.

So basically you should be sure that what you send is something wanted by the member you're sending it to.

As for a member being removed due to a PM I'm sure there's much more to it than the PM. Probably a history of issues and the PM was the final incident. We don't ban or suspend a member, unless they are newly registered and are using the PM system to spam or otherwise contact members inappropriately and we've received a complaint.

I have reported PMs before when I've been spammed via. PM. Because it really makes me irrate to be spammed at MDC.

Incidentally, at another board (NOT MDC) I was banned for content in personal messages that the admin. was intercepting, reading, and not allowing to go through. I was "tagged" somehow, so they felt a need to read my PMs. I was subversive!!! I cannot imagine such a thing happening here though.

mamaduck, that must have been a spanking board. If I was at the wheel of one of those, I'd consider you subversive too

freaky porn pm headed your way, adina.

Excellent. Just what I always wanted.

Remember also, that there have been cases where people have been stalked through PMs. In that case, the stalker should not expect their PM to be private. The stalker should expect that the target will be sending the PM on to a mod, if not Cynthia herself.

hmmm, rhonwyn, stalking through pm's? why didn't i think of that?