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.

 

[canuckblue]

Yeah someone knocked at the door after I clicked close forum, so was a few min delay between that and my post explaining

Wasn’t the plod, was it?

 

[Toffeepot]

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.

He'd fall to bits if he had to lead. Only knows how to throw insults and disinformation at his opposition. Just a heckler that hasn't formulated one positive thought of benefit to the public in his career I reckon

 

[Toffeepot]

It's going to prove very difficult stopping people discussing current events in the world. It's completely to be expected

 

[chicoazul]

It's going to prove very difficult stopping people discussing current events in the world. It's completely to be expected

@GrandOldTeam I agree with this and to help combat it there should be an instant month ban for anyone who does. Can you please commit to this and we shall be your loyal vigilant watchers.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

It's going to prove very difficult stopping people discussing current events in the world. It's completely to be expected

I don't understand your point?

[Edit] The issue is around an unmoderated forum. Inevitably current affairs discussion will pop up, and it'll moderated. Mentioned it here;

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/this-forum.121227/#post-11890711

 

[Bryan+]

@GrandOldTeam I agree with this and to help combat it there should be an instant month ban for anyone who does. Can you please commit to this and we shall be your loyal vigilant watchers.

GrandoldSadaamHussein.com

 

[Bryan+]

Inshallah @chicoazul @GrandOldTeam

 

[Toffeepot]

I don't understand your point?

[Edit] The issue is around an unmoderated forum. Inevitably current affairs discussion will pop up, and it'll moderated. Mentioned it here;

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/this-forum.121227/#post-11890711

Ah ok. Will it just be moderated in the same way as other threads then like swear words etc or will it be moderating things like criticism of Israel?

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Ah ok. Will it just be moderated in the same way as other threads then like swear words etc or will it be moderating things like criticism of Israel?

The bold there is why;

we don't have the resource, ability, diplomacy to moderate politics in a way that would make us compliant with the act

In terms of moderation - as per the rest of the forum. Moderator discretion. Expect thread closures, then.

 

[Toffeepot]

The bold there is why;



In terms of moderation - as per the rest of the forum. Moderator discretion. Expect thread closures, then.

Just took a skim through the ACT there and while freedom of expression, expressions of democratic importance and user generated content that is legal shouldn't be affected, it does appear to have a lot of risk assessment and responsibility burdened on the provider or the service, so I get that it could be more hassle than it's worth for you tbh

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Just took a skim through the ACT there and while freedom of expression, expressions of democratic importance and user generated content that is legal shouldn't be affected, it does appear to have a lot of risk assessment and responsibility burdened on the provider or the service, so I get that it could be more hassle than it's worth for you tbh

The type of illegal content - including misinformation and hate is the kicker.

The paperwork with that assessment, the increased likelihood of complaints from emotive current affairs and admin/paperwork in responding to complaints...

I think it'll all come out in the wash. They're already saying more support/clarification will come.

 

[Cork Evertonian]

We've known that for a while now

Why would i debate with someone like you who actually threatened anti Israel and anti Jewish violence on that thread?

 

[Toffeepot]

Why would i debate with someone like you who actually threatened anti Israel and anti Jewish violence on that thread?

That's slander lad

You might want to back that up with a screenshot because the quote option is down on that thread

 

[Charro]

Massive shame.

Was the best part of the forum right until recently where it did become the same posters at it every day.

The wrestling thread never causes such issues. A dream to moderate.

 

[Nymzee]

Massive shame.

Was the best part of the forum right until recently where it did become the same posters at it every day.

The wrestling thread never causes such issues. A dream to moderate.

You’re right. The Fit Birds thread was.