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.

 

[Joey66]

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.

Surely PMs if someone got a vile PM they would report it to a Mod etc - there is a report button on PMs be in place - I find it very odd someone would attempt to send someone a nasty PM ?
Do you get complaints on PMs ? From members on Direct messages - Roydo always staed it was what the GOT was all about etc gestures etc ?

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Surely PMs if someone got a vile PM they would report it to a Mod etc - there is a report button on PMs be in place - I find it very odd someone would attempt to send someone a nasty PM ?
Do you get complaints on PMs ? From members on Direct messages - Roydo always staed it was what the GOT was all about etc gestures etc ?

It was up in the air then, had to look into it more and PMs are safe mate/we're defined as a small platform and don't require the same level of scanning etc.

The logic was - if we can't see private messages, how can we ensure there's no illegal/really bad activity going on?

But as you say, there's a report feature on private messages. We also don't allow new members to use private messages until they've been well moderated etc. We're well ahead of the game, really.

In reaction to the act, some are doing likewise (no new member access to DMs) like Man Utd's equivalent of GOT;

The UK's Online Safety Act | serious replies only please

New legislation called the Online Safety Act (OSA) is coming into effect in the UK on 17 March 2025 and this site falls within its purview. The OSA introduces various regulations to enhance online safety, particularly for children. It mandates that sites with user-to-user messaging implement...

www.redcafe.net

Ultimately, we've just had to formalise what we already do, and wrap it up in a risk assessment.

 

[TrailerTrash]

The Hamsters have been defeated.
Yay for legislation.

 

[Jimishorts]

The logic was - if we can't see private messages, how can we ensure there's no illegal/really bad activity going on?

@Joey66 is worried you're gonna smash his chickpea crack peddling ring.

 

[Kurt.]

Surely PMs if someone got a vile PM they would report it to a Mod etc - there is a report button on PMs be in place - I find it very odd someone would attempt to send someone a nasty PM ?
Do you get complaints on PMs ? From members on Direct messages - Roydo always staed it was what the GOT was all about etc gestures etc ?

Just sent you a nasty DM

 

[heatmeiser]

The wild west days of the internet are truly over.

I enjoyed it while I could and got away with an impressive amount

 

[chicoazul]

The wild west days of the internet are truly over.

I enjoyed it while I could and got away with an impressive amount

Any particular moments stands out pal?

Give us your top 3 moments of wow on here.

 

[heatmeiser]

Any particular moments stands out pal?

Give us your top 3 moments of wow on here.

1 Ghost's uncle Tom moment
2 can I kiss your tits
3 that Pg ev ped yank boy?

I've probably forgotten something massive. Obviously REP is above all this.

 

[chicoazul]

1 Ghost's uncle Tom moment
2 can I kiss your tits
3 that Pg ev ped yank boy?

I've probably forgotten something massive. Obviously REP is above all this.

A fine list . Can’t stop laughing here at at #1, it was just so perfect. Number 2 was just beautiful beautiful peak GOT. Number 3 was a robot from the future I reckon, the internet is full of his spawn now.

 

[heatmeiser]

A fine list . Can’t stop laughing here at at #1, it was just so perfect. Number 2 was just beautiful beautiful peak GOT. Number 3 was a robot from the future I reckon, the internet is full of his spawn now.

I've heard rumours that these stricter GOT rules could see a return of rep

That would make everything ok again, wouldn't it?

 

[chicoazul]

I've heard rumours that these stricter GOT rules could see a return of rep

That would make everything ok again, wouldn't it?

One one thing can save our beloved community from authoritarian overreach and that thing is a fully operational reputation system with facility for anon comments, truly a mods best friend.

That lad who got dead angry playing FIFA and the false scores, neg rep signed ijjy.

 

[ClausThomsen]

I've heard rumours that these stricter GOT rules could see a return of rep

That would make everything ok again, wouldn't it?

Who watches the Watchers?
Who polices the Police?
Who governs the Government?

Neg Rep does it all. Benevolent, wise and beyond reproach.

 

[chicoazul]

Mr President bring your people neg rep and set them free.

 

[micknick]

Remember when people got Kitt'd up and went mental. Halcyon days

 

[chicoazul]

Remember when people got Kitt'd up and went mental. Halcyon days

Do you have a favourite neg rep story from yonder friend?