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.

 

[Tramps_mate]

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.

Ok.. It sucks but it is what it is now!

Can those forums be 'saved' for reopening potentially in future..?

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Ok.. It sucks but it is what it is now!

Can those forums be 'saved' for reopening potentially in future..?

Aye, we just close them for new posting.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

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.

If Goat snitches and they can see we run forums that openly admit we don't moderate then I'd have a lot of paperwork.

If he snitched and we're compliant, I too, can call him a crying nazi and point to the effective moderators who'll moderate my hateful content.

 

[Milk]

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.



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.

Well it’s not small with >40,000 registered members (although I suspect that there is a lot who register without posting) but I really do think that OSA is aimed squarely at the likes of X, Reddit & their ilk as well as the porn sites … and we all know any tech savvy 12 year old will circumvent most barriers.
However it’s your forum, your rules and happy to comply

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Well it’s not small with >40,000 registered members (although I suspect that there is a lot who register without posting) but I really do think that OSA is aimed squarely at the likes of X, Reddit & their ilk as well as the porn sites … and we all know any tech savvy 12 year old will circumvent most barriers.
However it’s your forum, your rules and happy to comply

The Online Safety Act (OSA) defines criteria to determine size.

Size then determines level of regulatory impact.

And what you've just described, falls comfortably into what they define as small category.

That means, less obligations compared to medium/large, but you still have to be compliant.

OSA isn't aimed solely at "X, Reddit and their ilk" - otherwise they'd have allowed for exceptions based on user count. They haven't. Intentionally, as there's a load of smaller, rogue forums too.

It's aimed at all online platforms. You can read more on here.

So while it's technically, as you say, my forum, the rules by which has to operate, is UK Law.

And trust me, putting content behind registered users doesn't prevent the necessity to also have to moderate it in accordance with OSA/risk assessment.

 

[Milk]

The Online Safety Act (OSA) defines criteria to determine size.

Size then determines level of regulatory impact.

And what you've just described, falls comfortably into what they define as small category.

That means, less obligations compared to medium/large, but you still have to be compliant.

OSA isn't aimed solely at "X, Reddit and their ilk" - otherwise they'd have allowed for exceptions based on user count. They haven't. Intentionally, as there's a load of smaller, rogue forums too.

It's aimed at all online platforms. You can read more on here.

So while it's technically, as you say, my forum, the rules by which has to operate, is UK Law.

And trust me, putting content behind registered users doesn't prevent the necessity to also have to moderate it in accordance with OSA/risk assessment.

The advise we were given is that the forum was for adults and that we should treat our members as such. We do, though, intervene if necessary but our members like the light touch.

Whilst I fully take your points on board, I think you are over thinking it and there is a danger that your team will over react to any banter and GOT will get too moderated and subsequently drive people away.

I hope not as we are all ultimately fans of the best football club