Private Messages

[TrueStranger]

Salaam Aliakum,

I’m making this thread because I do not have the permission to reply to a thread that was posted in the “News and Announcement” section. So I will post my concerns about this particular thread in this section. I think the admin should take into account the views and opinions of their members. So, please, if you are going to delete or close this thread do so after carefully contemplating about the message it will send to the Board’s community members.

The thread was titled “PMs may be monitored”. I’m not questioning the good intentions behind this thread, but rather its intrusive nature. I honestly do not feel comfortable knowing that my ‘Private’ Messages can be monitored at the will of a moderate (randomly) or as a result of suspicious thought. Personally, I do not think that the reason given is one that I agree with. These are private messages that members of the board are sending to each other. We should not intrude into the privacy of members in the name of goodness. I think everyone has the right to send private messages without fearing harsh repercussions. I truly see this as a form of spying, and there is a reason why these messages are labeled “private”. Those two words are either misleading, or the admins/moderators think that they are justified in monitoring members Private messages.

I frankly do not think that we should “monitor” private messages to stop opposite genders from communicating or anti-Islamic individuals from promoting other faiths or insulting/slandering Islam and Muslims. If a member is receiving private messages that are insulting or un-welcomed, then it is reasonable and even justifiable for the moderators to intervene. However, I truly think that private messages should remain private unless a member complains to one of the moderators.

In reality, an Islamic State would not randomly inspect houses to stop any haraam active that might be taking place. Let private matters remain private. I’m aware of the fact that each member has a different opinion and I would love to hear what other members think about this. And I do not expect the Admin(s) to change their views about this issue, but that should not stop one from commenting on the matter.

Admin(s) ………Are you planning on reading my private messages after you just finished reading this post? ;D I'm innocent :nervous:.

On a serious note, I absolutely appreciate and respect the work the Admins and the Mods are doing.

[Txyib]

salaam
i totally agree with you with privacy and that because even i need privacy well doesnt everyone but on the negative side there are many members who abuse this previlige and abuse other Li members
wasalam
TaYiB

[Periwinkle18]

:sl:

i duno i think its OK cuz sometimes we forget things and make mistakes,i made a mistake once and alhumdulilah a mod reminded me :) And i srsly need reminders cuz i slip lot and make silly mistakes :p

[Who Am I?]

:sl:

I am reminded of a quote from Benjamin Franklin about essential liberty and freedom.

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

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[Abz2000]

i'm in two minds about this issue though i do prefer privacy.
firstly, it's a privately owned forum that doesn't even take donations so there are limitations on what we can expect within reason
secondly, i do feel it's good for members to communicate with each other even if it's between genders.
but if they get lewd there's always the chance for a mod to interrupt :p
(apparently some members have found their matches on this forum and broken the good news on the forum) :)

thirdly, there is the chance of trolls and other malicious people and deceitful evangelists pm-ing new interested members who are asking questions about Islam, something i have noticed happening.

so personally, i'd say that i like privacy, but since it is a totally private forum, not a public necessity, and no public tax money goes into it, i'd say it's down to the administrators of the forum to decide how best they feel it's kept running, and they are best aware of all the problems that they come across as long as they don't trample anyone's rights.

and last of all, i believe that most of us are aware of the fact that it is possible for criminals in government and other hackers to access almost anything on the web and they often do it without your permission despite being paid by you and claiming to be your "public servants". there's a lot more to be concerned about there than the mods.

[Dagless]

I completely agree with the OP. Mods are still people and could accidentally read something which is not for them e.g. they may recognise someone by their personal details or situations.

firstly, it's a privately owned forum that doesn't even take donations so there are limitations on what we can expect within reason
secondly, i do feel it's good for members to communicate with each other even if it's between genders.
but if they get lewd there's always the chance for a mod to interrupt :p
(apparently some members have found their matches on this forum and broken the good news on the forum) :)

I don't think money has anything to do with privacy. I can understand if they want to advertise in pm's but invading someones privacy won't make them money :p

thirdly, there is the chance of trolls and other malicious people and deceitful evangelists pm-ing new interested members who are asking questions about Islam, something i have noticed happening.

You can report pm's. There is no problem with mod's reading reported pm's since they need to take action over these.

and last of all, i believe that most of us are aware of the fact that it is possible for criminals in government and other hackers to access almost anything on the web and they often do it without your permission despite being paid by you and claiming to be your "public servants". there's a lot more to be concerned about there than the mods.

They also try to start wars with peaceful countries, but I don't suggest the mods start threatening Iran just yet :D

[Abz2000]

you're right in a way dagless, and so is the OP, and i don't feel members should fear harsh repercussions for speaking their minds.

but don't you think the mods have a right to choose how they keep the forum running as long as it doesn't infringe on our rights?
like say for instance, two members decide to talk about a controversial or very delicate issue that is illegal according to fascist governments and could jeopardize the forum itself, wouldn't it be better that they just share contacts and speak privately?
i personally don't shy away from speaking the truth as long as it is part of Islam, but i do try to respect the need to not overburden others.
how do you think it would fare for the forum if they got into trouble?
hence i mentioned the privately owned issue.

i definitely believe the mods should never use information against someone in order to penalize them or get them into trouble, but a little nudge to tone it down can be useful.

i've seen how newspapers use "mosque gatherings" etc to go after mosques etc.

Yusuf Ali
Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, "He is (all) ear." Say, "He listens to what is best for you: he believes in Allah, has faith in the Believers, and is a Mercy to those of you who believe." But those who molest the Messenger will have a grievous penalty.

Sahih International
And among them are those who abuse the Prophet and say, "He is an ear." Say, "[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you." And those who abuse the Messenger of Allah - for them is a painful punishment.


please note, i do not compare the mods to the governments who spy on people in order to harm them and who use intelligence prevent goodness and spread chaos across the globe.
i am actually adamant in demanding that people have privacy from these wolves in sheep's clothing.

[Who Am I?]

:sl:

Big Brother is always watching, and sometimes I give him a wave, just to let him know that I know he's there. ;D

(Hi there, BB.)

[Periwinkle18]

but don't you think the mods have a right to choose how they keep the forum running as long as it doesn't infringe on our rights?

hmm i think ur rite i mean everyone likes privacy buh its up to the mods to choose :)

[Marina-Aisha]

I have to say when I read that thread I felt uneasy. Thought someone looking at something that was completely private. But I like to think they r all good people they wouldn't abuse there power. But still feel uneasy bout it. I dunno how I feel to be honest. I just hope they don't abuse this in anyway.

[Asiyah3]

I think that only excessive private messaging between opposite genders are checked. So there should be no problem.

[- Qatada -]

:salamext:


When I was here a few years ago, many anti-Islamic people who were senior members worked together to cause alot of fitnah (problems) on the forum. They were busted and banned before they did something really bad (spreading bad pictures.)

As an ex-mod, I know it's rare for admins to spy on people unless they have suspicions about someone already.

[Periwinkle18]

:salamext:


When I was here a few years ago, many anti-Islamic people who were senior members worked together to cause alot of fitnah (problems) on the forum. They were busted and banned before they did something really bad (spreading bad pictures.)

As an ex-mod, I know it's rare for admins to spy on people unless they have suspicions about someone already.

oh i remember that and some of the pics were posted on threads too then we had to report them ...

[sister herb]

As admin/mod of other islamic forums I totally accept if pms are sometimes monitored here. Members have to trust staff members and understand what they do in forum is meant to help others and keep forum secure to all.

:hiding:

[Who Am I?]

oh i remember that and some of the pics were posted on threads too then we had to report them ...

:salamext:


When I was here a few years ago, many anti-Islamic people who were senior members worked together to cause alot of fitnah (problems) on the forum. They were busted and banned before they did something really bad (spreading bad pictures.)

As an ex-mod, I know it's rare for admins to spy on people unless they have suspicions about someone already.

Man, how come I miss all of the good stuff? :raging:

['Abd-al Latif]

:salamext:

I believe some clarification is needed here. We monitor PMs for reasons which we feel are of greater benefit than to give every individual a complete right of privacy on the forum. There have been instances in the past where users have sent abusive PMs, spread non-Islamic messages, called towards other religions or quarrelled in private which, sooner or later, was reported to us. In such cases it was very difficult for us to find out what was going on or how to resolve it. Viewing PMs, thus, makes things a lot easier for us to get to the bottom of things and to take appropriate action. We faced a problem like this very recently.

Having said that, it should be noted that Mods and Admins do not spy unnecessarily in anyone's account; we take our responsibility seriously and only view private messages when there is a need for it (such as the above mentioned cases). When we do view an individual's messages we usually notify them of it to raise our concern of a particular issue. We do not view anything more than what is needed and we respect the privacy that every member is entitled to on the forum.

[Marina-Aisha]

okay im okay with that.

[Who Am I?]

:salamext:

I believe some clarification is needed here. We monitor PMs for reasons which we feel are of greater benefit than to give every individual a complete right of privacy on the forum. There have been instances in the past where users have sent abusive PMs, spread non-Islamic messages, called towards other religions or quarrelled in private which, sooner or later, was reported to us. In such cases it was very difficult for us to find out what was going on or how to resolve it. Viewing PMs, thus, makes things a lot easier for us to get to the bottom of things and to take appropriate action. We faced a problem like this very recently.

Having said that, it should be noted that Mods and Admins do not spy unnecessarily in anyone's account; we take our responsibility seriously and only view private messages when there is a need for it (such as the above mentioned cases). When we do view an individual's messages we usually notify them of it to raise our concern of a particular issue. We do not view anything more than what is needed and we respect the privacy that every member is entitled to on the forum.

:sl:

Look, I know you guys do a thankless job, and I appreciate that. I just want to make that clear here and now...

['Abd-al Latif]

If anyone has any further questions they can PM any of the mods.

:threadclo