Clarification.

This thread in Community contained a phone number and a request that JC users call and "harass" someone. The person's adress and full name were also posted later on in the thread. A mod posted four times in the thread, one of which was to warn people to stop "derailing" the thread because the TOS only protects registered members from harassment.

Why was such an obviously shameful thread allowed to go on as long as it did? Does the TOS really only protect people who are registered here?

I'm very perplexed.

 

I can understand allowing celebrities to be "attacked" (i.e. "Bush is dumb"), but not regular citizens.

I personally thought it went against the "invasive of a person's privacy" part of the Rules of Conduct. Not to mention that asking to harrass someone also could easily fall under the "illegal" part.

 

Relax, honey. It won't happen again. The thread is locked. Let it go.

 

I can understand allowing celebrities to be "attacked" (i.e. "Bush is dumb"), but not regular citizens.

Even that is different. I can say "Ben Affleck sucks" (because he does), but when I post his phone number and encourage people to phone him and harass him, I've gone well beyond being reasonable.

That kind of behaviour -- no matter whom it concerns -- is unacceptable, IMO.

 

I don't see how anyone could possibly believe this type of thread would be allowed under the TOS. I'm glad Tracy finally tried to step in and get the job done, because untill then, nothing was happening. This type of thread is simply against the TOS and common sense.

Mortimer, I know how it feels to be pissed at an ex. It's not easy, however, asking a bunch of fanboys to harass her isn't exactly the right road to go.

 

For those that don't think it's an illegal activity, here's some info Dark_Lady_Jada provided me with:

Telephone Harassment



Repetitive hang-ups, anonymous obscene phone calls and threatening e-mail messages are all examples of harassment, the most common of
which is telephone harassment.

Harassment is defined as an offense with the intent to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment or embarrass by telephone or writing. Harassment is also a communication which is obscene or threatening.

Individuals who receive harassing, annoying or threatening telephone calls are encouraged to contact the Police for assistance.
Maintaining a telephone log that documents the dates and times of calls will be helpful in determining what measures the police may pursue.

Harassment is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail

http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/upd/telephone_prevention.htm

I think it's encouraging potentially illegal activity.

 

Even if its not an illegal activity, its still a very shameful thing to do. I mean, no one deserves to have their private number posted on some messege board for the intent of people to prank call them. Hell, only numbers that should be posted or even PMed is that of said persons *own* number.

 

Decides not to say bad things. Leaves thread, never to return.

 

I was under the impression that posting someone's personal info (address, phone #, etc.) without their permission, regardless of whether they're a member or not, was a no-no.

I think Tracy was right to lock it.

 

A couple of mods dropped the ball on not locking that right away. The only excuse I will accept is that they were drunk.

 

I agree with flarestorm on this.

 

Thanks to Dark_Lady_Jada for informing me that telephone harrassment is indeed illegal(I was under the assumption that it was not). I let the thread go because I was under the assumption that it wasn't illegal, and that the girl who was the topic of the thread wasn't protected by the TOS since she's not registered here. It appears I was wrong(on at least the first count), and that's fine, people make mistakes after all.

 

Since you refused to discuss it in PMs...

It's my belief that you were wrong on more than just the first count, as encouraging harassing someone over the phone, to me at least, falls into the same category as encouraging coordinated trolling. You can flame someone who's not registered, but you can't harrass them.

Oh, and THE TERMS OF SERVICE DO NOT APPLY HERE. IT IS THE RULES OF CONDUCT.

 

Amos, try reading the TOS and ROC. They might help you. Lucky you aren't a mod.

Oh. Damn.

 

I've been harassed over the telephone. Even if I found out later that it was only a friend's boyfriend playing around, it's terrifying. Lock all doors and shutter all windows seriously consider calling the police terrifying.

It's called common courtesy not to do things like that. These boards are open for all to see. Trolls can still see threads... what kind of people was a woman's address given out to?

I think a bit of common sense may have been wise. Even if the thread was a joke.

 

droideka EDIT: flaming

 

We're talking this out in the MS. By leaving it open to begin with and posting in it, it says it's okay which it clearly is not. The thread author should never have done that and the mod should close it in the future. This goes beyond board harassment, it's real life harassment and that gets into a whole entire realm beyond this thread. I am locking this thread and encourage you to PM me should you desire further clarification.