We wanted to let you know that we will be ending the use of Direct/Private Messages over the next few days on fmttmboro.
There will be several other changes coming into effect also over the next few weeks. These changes are in order for us to comply with the UK's new Online SafetyAct, which makes us legally responsible to reduce harmful content and make online spaces safer.
We don't really have any choice but to make these and other changes in order to make the forum as safe as possible. Hopefully, the changes will not be too disruptive.
From next week, or as soon as we can figure out how to do it, we will be stopping all direct/private messages between users.
We will be continuing reporting and hope that communications will still be easy to maintain to admin and moderators.
The guidance for the Online Security Act makes it clear that Private Messaging could be used for harassment, scams, or sharing harmful content outside of public moderation. ie It is hidden from moderation and therefore from safeguarding eyes. You will see this function disappearing all over the net this month.
Some sites overseas are deploying AI tools to keep an eye on Direct Messaging – but just how successful and compliant this is remains to be seen and it costs a fair amount of money, Also it means messages are no longer private.
The forum is now Over18 only for users. The Terms have already been changed and soon new users will be asked to confirm they over 18 when signing up.
Again we are being pressed into this change because much of the new Act revolves around protecting minors. Especially from any potentially harmful content etc. This will greatly reduce risks. Obviously we are not a high risk zone but I am sure we would all agree with keeping the net safe for children.
I have been informed that many football sites will be stopping all non football discussion – we are hoping to avoid this – but we will have to monitor the situation as this act is a first step and we have been told that vigilance will only increase in the future and the onus is now very much on us to take responsibility.
Over 18s only helps us meet legal requirements around child safety and content moderation. Many of the new laws focus on protecting children from harmful content, so restricting posting access to adults significantly lowers compliance risks while still allowing people to read discussions.
We will be asking everyone that is an existing user to confirm they are over 18.
This is what it is all about :-
The Online Safety Act was introduced by the UK government to protect people from harmful content online. It places legal duties on forums, social media platforms, and other online services to proactively prevent and remove illegal content, including:
- Hate speech & threats
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
- Terrorist content
- Scams and fraud
- Encouragement of self-harm or suicide
There will be several other changes coming into effect also over the next few weeks. These changes are in order for us to comply with the UK's new Online SafetyAct, which makes us legally responsible to reduce harmful content and make online spaces safer.
We don't really have any choice but to make these and other changes in order to make the forum as safe as possible. Hopefully, the changes will not be too disruptive.
From next week, or as soon as we can figure out how to do it, we will be stopping all direct/private messages between users.
We will be continuing reporting and hope that communications will still be easy to maintain to admin and moderators.
The guidance for the Online Security Act makes it clear that Private Messaging could be used for harassment, scams, or sharing harmful content outside of public moderation. ie It is hidden from moderation and therefore from safeguarding eyes. You will see this function disappearing all over the net this month.
Some sites overseas are deploying AI tools to keep an eye on Direct Messaging – but just how successful and compliant this is remains to be seen and it costs a fair amount of money, Also it means messages are no longer private.
The forum is now Over18 only for users. The Terms have already been changed and soon new users will be asked to confirm they over 18 when signing up.
Again we are being pressed into this change because much of the new Act revolves around protecting minors. Especially from any potentially harmful content etc. This will greatly reduce risks. Obviously we are not a high risk zone but I am sure we would all agree with keeping the net safe for children.
I have been informed that many football sites will be stopping all non football discussion – we are hoping to avoid this – but we will have to monitor the situation as this act is a first step and we have been told that vigilance will only increase in the future and the onus is now very much on us to take responsibility.
Over 18s only helps us meet legal requirements around child safety and content moderation. Many of the new laws focus on protecting children from harmful content, so restricting posting access to adults significantly lowers compliance risks while still allowing people to read discussions.
We will be asking everyone that is an existing user to confirm they are over 18.
This is what it is all about :-
The Online Safety Act was introduced by the UK government to protect people from harmful content online. It places legal duties on forums, social media platforms, and other online services to proactively prevent and remove illegal content, including:
- Hate speech & threats
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
- Terrorist content
- Scams and fraud
- Encouragement of self-harm or suicide
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