How moderation works

How something reaches us

Three ways: somebody reports it, an automatic filter catches it, or a moderator finds it. Reports go to a queue staff work through - they are not counted by a machine, and a pile of reports from one group of people does not by itself do anything to an account.

What we can do

• Remove the content and leave the account alone.
• Warn - recorded, visible to you, no restriction.
• Strike - recorded and counted. Enough of them restrict the account.
• Mute - you can read but not post, for a set time.
• Suspend - the chat is closed to you. You keep the rest of the site, including the ability to appeal.

You will be told

When we act on your account we tell you what we did, which rule it was, and what it applies to. Your current standing is visible to you at any time in the app, so nothing about your record is hidden from you.

Appealing

Every decision can be challenged, and a suspension deliberately leaves you signed in so you can do it. Appeals are read by somebody who was not part of the original decision. If we got it wrong we say so and reverse it, including removing the strike from your record.

What helps: what you think happened, and anything we would not have seen. What does not help: sending the same appeal repeatedly.

Staff are accountable too

Every moderation action is logged against the person who took it, permanently and unalterably. Staff hold ranked roles with only the powers that role needs, so answering a ticket does not come with the ability to ban.