Changes Coming To GOT

[GrandOldTeam]

Short Version

The UK government is forcing us to remove the Current Affairs forum, and NSFW type threads. Maybe also user to user private messaging.

Google 'Online Safety Act' if interested.

Long Rambling Version;

We're of course, an Everton Forum.

But in our 18+ years (not one of you wished the forum a happy birthday last week ffs), we've become a community beyond Everton.

Since 2017, we've sought to best accomodate 'current affairs' discussion in it's own sub forum - out the way, with a 'enter at own risk'/hands off moderation policy.

It's worked well.

Or as well as it could have done. Online. Politics.

However, the Online Safety Act (OSA) in the UK comes into effect on March 17, 2025. Someone much more articulate than I provides some commentary here. Also some more background info and it's implications here.

The implications of the act has already caused forums in their entirety to close, others have closed the ability to post. Some discussion on here of this act from December.

Moderating a Everton forum is challenging enough - we don't have the resource, ability, diplomacy to moderate politics in a way that would make us compliant with the act. Even if we did, I don't think we'd have the inclination to. Nor be prepared to accept the personal liability to do so.

Sadly then, we need to close the Current Affairs forum from 1st March.

We'll also need to close 'Not Safe For Work' threads, like 'The Fit Birds' thread.

There's a chance we may also need to disable user to user private messaging but I'm awaiting clarification on that.

But fear not. We can still fume about Everton.

 

[davek]

Bruh you simped for the Orange clown, stand down marine.

You say that when you support Starmer who's throwing out any Palestinians who turn up in the UK.

 

[Goat]

You say that when you support Starmer who's throwing out any Palestinians who turn up in the UK.

I dont really think I support Starmer as such.

I voted for Labour sure, but Starmer is an MP, I dont really like any of them, self-serving bellends really, sure you get the odd good egg, but its a farce really isnt it?

So I wasnt expecting wholesale change, country is goosed, world is goosed, its all the same really.

Just gotta keep your head down and protect ya neck, keep your head on a swivel and try roll a 6 now and again.

 

[davek]

I dont really think I support Starmer as such.

I voted for Labour sure, but Starmer is an MP, I dont really like any of them, self-serving bellends really, sure you get the odd good egg, but its a farce really isnt it?

So I wasnt expecting wholesale change, country is goosed, world is goosed, its all the same really.

Just gotta keep your head down and protect ya neck, keep your head on a swivel and try roll a 6 now and again.

All you needed to say was:

"You were right, Dave. And I was wrong."

 

[Goat]

All you needed to say was:

"You were right, Dave. And I was wrong."

Nar, still glad those Tory vermin didnt get in, you will see next time.

When that lunatic they have in charge now is rounding everybody up.

As we are seeing in America, there is always a better option.

 

[Tigger]

I mean we may all joke about everything on here but this is really shocking for the future, total control

 

[davek]

Nar, still glad those Tory vermin didnt get in, you will see next time.

When that lunatic they have in charge now is rounding everybody up.

As we are seeing in America, there is always a better option.

She'll be well dumped by then.

I'm half expecting Farage to step in, but it'll probably be Jenrick they turn back to.

 

[Goat]

She'll be well dumped by then.

I'm half expecting Farage to step in, but it'll probably be Jenrick they turn back to.

They all sound lovely.

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

Page views, shopping, it's all the same in the end.

‘Kin page views

 

[Number_25]

I am chuffed to bits about the CA forum being closed.

I hate the fact that there's aggro that starts there, and then resolves in the Everton forum.

 

[CrustySack]

I tried to engage in conversation and healthy adult debate for the first time on the CA forum a few weeks back but was met with a wall of childish ridicule from a small fascist group for daring to have an opinion of my own, so no problem seeing the CA forum go.

 

[Milk]

@GrandOldTeam

I mod on another forum and the advice we have been given is that subforums such as CA/politics and threads such as Fit Birds (so long as within PG guidelines) are fine provided that they are only visible to registered members only

Closing both is a massive overreaction and not what OSA is aimed at

 

[GrandOldTeam]

@GrandOldTeam

I mod on another forum and the advice we have been given is that subforums such as CA/politics and threads such as Fit Birds (so long as within PG guidelines) are fine provided that they are only visible to registered members only

That's not at all accurate.

That makes no difference at all regarding subsequent risk/moderation policy.

But laughing at the idea of "ah, make it login to view and it makes no difference"

If the other forum you help moderate is as big as this one, and then they choose to host an unmoderated politics forum then they're leaving themselves vulnerable.

Closing both is a massive overreaction and not what OSA is aimed at

I disagree.

As I've mentioned - both bring increased risk and dictate a moderation resource we don't have, nor want. We aren't moderating current affairs on a football forum. Unless we do that, we'd not be complying with UK law.

But thanks for the feedback.

 

[Tramps_mate]

Can the Current Affairs forum and the Fit Birds thread just be made visible to forum supporters?

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Can the Current Affairs forum and the Fit Birds thread just be made visible to forum supporters?

Age gating through payment method is effective/can be really helpful - sounds like allowances will be made/changes will happen but for now, we have to play it as it is.

 

[chicoazul]

So hang on if I call Goat a fat Nazi it gets the owner in trouble and could get the entire website shut down? Where’s the downsides in all this please.