Current Events > Is it time to end moderator anonymity?

(+) Yeah! (+)

sull56ivan2010 posted...

I agree something like should not happen, but someone like you needs to be held accountable for how you act and behave. Do a better effort as a moderator. What's so difficult about doing that?

Harassment is not accountability, but given your posts in this thread being okay with people being harassed, it doesn't seem like you're able to differentiate the two.

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bruplex posted...

I was a moderator here for 11 years, including time periods when the moderator was named in the moderation. This was mostly pre-cNet and the user base was smaller. But...

...the abuse that came from disgruntled users very quickly got off the Gamefaqs sites and gets personal. One of the reasons I had to stop being a moderator was harassment in my professional career - and this was even after moderations were made anonymous again.

Putting trust in a huge user base with an average age of 17 - 24 isn't feasible.

This is 100% relatable. Just having that 1% of the worst of the worst who take things too personal and vengeful, means everyone else cant have nice things.

Valjackal posted...

As one of the more critical mods on the staff, for the most part it works. There will never be a perfect system, and sometimes moderations that should not have been deleted or upheld still go through. At that point unfortunately there's not much we can do, but I can say that when those instances occur, that's not the end of it from our perspective. We try to make sure going forward to avoid those types of scenarios.

That offers little recourse to the user, of course. I don't know what the correct answer is, or even if there is one.

A suggestion made a decade ago was that every moderation should require at least two moderators to agree to deletion of the post. (negative side effect: longer moderation queues and times)

Another suggestion made was to allow for moderators to do partial deletion. (think of it looking like a spoiler tag but the spoiler cant be revealed) That way if the issue was just a small part of the message then just that gets deleted. (negative: a lot of disagreement on what parts to black out. So maybe this is worse. But thought I'd mention it)
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Question about the appeal system, if the mods are allowed to say.
Can there be a discussion about an appealed moderation?
Like I appeal a moderation, can mods discuss why they voted for/against upholding it?
If you can't say if that exists due to it breaking the NDA, please do say that.

voldothegr8 posted...

Every mod gets assigned a number identifier that's stamped on every moderation, we now have some transparency and mods don't get harassed.

I guess since the mods didn't acknowledge this they don't like the idea
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Ps2Twilight posted...

Harassment is not accountability, but given your posts in this thread being okay with people being harassed, it doesn't seem like you're able to differentiate the two.

You're putting words in my mouth. Bad move for a moderator like you. I'm speaking more about specific moderators and their behavior being a reason why they aren't taken seriously. No where am I advocating for them to get harassed.

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Yes on any action that requires only one or two moderators' input (eg. moderating a message, upholding by lead / admin). No on actions that involve a wider consensus (eg. the voting on uphold vs overturn).

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voldothegr8 posted...

I guess since the mods didn't acknowledge this they don't like the idea

They don't want us to know it's the same moderator going after us. They want to abuse their position and have zero accountability.

sull56ivan2010 posted...

I agree something like should not happen, but someone like you needs to be held accountable for how you act and behave. Do a better effort as a moderator. What's so difficult about doing that?

I admit if I mess up, and have gone on record multiple times privately and publicly to support users that I felt were moderated incorrectly. Don't bring that generic blanket "you need to do better" nonsense my way.

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Valjackal posted...

I admit if I mess up, and have gone on record multiple times privately and publicly to support users that I felt were moderated incorrectly. Don't bring that generic blanket "you need to do better" nonsense my way.

You're only proving my point.

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Error1355 posted...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrZ-swHQrIw

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error please stop modding me and respond to me complainng

sull56ivan2010 posted...

You're putting words in my mouth. Bad move for a moderator like you. I'm speaking more about specific moderators and their behavior being a reason why they aren't taken seriously. No where am I advocating for them to get harassed.

Didn't say you were. Your post alluded to harassment being deserved because of our ability (or inability) to moderate a videogame forum. Let's cut the disingenuous nonsense.

voldothegr8 posted...

I guess since the mods didn't acknowledge this they don't like the idea

Wouldn't help much considering there's already conspiracy theories of multiple mods being alts of the same mod.

It would take less than a day for people to start saying Error is telling other mods what to mod so it creates the illusion it's multiple people handing different posts.

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nothanks1 posted...

Question about the appeal system, if the mods are allowed to say.
Can there be a discussion about an appealed moderation?
Like I appeal a moderation, can mods discuss why they voted for/against upholding it?
If you can't say if that exists due to it breaking the NDA, please do say that.

mods pls

nothanks1 posted...

mods pls

I already suggested that, but thats a step towards a transparent system which is what they dont want. They also ignored my request for stats on how many people actually vote on each moderation

ClunkerSlim posted...

Yes, we all know about the one incident that happened to Error that gets thrown out every time this topic is brought up. But to be fair, most mods don't have blogs dedicated to them and even this incident could have been solved by Error changing his name and not telling people his facebook account or real name. It's not like most mods don't have alt accounts. Just mod under an alt. You don't have to link all your personal information to your mod account.

Ah right, it's my own fault. Got it.

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Error1355 posted...

Ah right, it's my own fault. Got it.

Honestly this is the part that really fucking creeps me out.
Like I do have issues with mods as a whole but... how in the fuck do you justify it with 'bro you have your name on your twitter you post just create a fake identity'

In other words:
Ladies to stop getting raped why not just stop going outside and interacting with people in general?

Kloe_Rinz posted...

I already suggested that, but thats a step towards a transparent system which is what they dont want. They also ignored my request for stats on how many people actually vote on each moderation

Even if we wanted to, we couldn't provide those stats because we don't have access to them. Most people aren't assuming there's some big conspiracy surrounding the dispute process. It was explained very clearly how it works. Why you think you're entitled to statistics regarding anything else related to that because of whatever nonsense you've made up in your head is beyond me.

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Orlando_Jordan posted...

I think it's time to hold them accountable. Imagine if police didn't reveal their names, wore masks, and made up new laws as they went along.

Pretty much. It would help to curb the worst excesses while restoring faith in the system. Unless you're talking about their IRL info, which would be crossing a line.

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ClunkerSlim posted...

Yes, we all know about the one incident that happened to Error that gets thrown out every time this topic is brought up. But to be fair, most mods don't have blogs dedicated to them and even this incident could have been solved by Error changing his name and not telling people his facebook account or real name. It's not like most mods don't have alt accounts. Just mod under an alt. You don't have to link all your personal information to your mod account.

I can't say I'm surprised that you don't realize how asinine this all sounds. Hell, you can hardly go more than a few posts without mentioning Error's name, yet you feel it acceptable for moderators' names to be attached to their moderations and your solution to circumvent the inevitable harassment is "change your name." But, all in the interest of "transparency", right?

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nothanks1 posted...

mods pls

aren't you getting shit-faced or something?

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Valjackal posted...
Valjackal posted...

Even if we wanted to, we couldn't provide those stats because we don't have access to them. Most people aren't assuming there's some big conspiracy surrounding the dispute process. It was explained very clearly how it works. Why you think you're entitled to statistics regarding anything else related to that because of whatever nonsense you've made up in your head is beyond me.

Again, your system doesnt work. Every system that is better is transparent. Opaqueness doesnt work. Being smug about it doesnt help your case.

Clunkerslim's post is pretty stupid. But I think the proposition was to not link your real name to your gamefaqs username as a safety protocol

Also lol @ TC. Did you enjoy that sigwipe?

Biscotti posted...

aren't you getting shit-faced or something?

yes but I want a hot as FUCK female mod to be like 'drink more or I'll mod you'

Kloe_Rinz posted...

Again, your system doesnt work. Every system that is better is transparent. Opaqueness doesnt work. Being smug about it doesnt help your case.

Seems to be working ok

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ClunkerSlim posted...

All I'm saying is that if a mod is worried about being harassed in real life then that's an easy fix. Just change usernames. It really is that simple. I don't give a shit if AssultTank mods under the name ChuckyCheese. The point is to be able to identify problem moderators who are making mistakes, abusing power, or targeting certain users. I don't really give a shit who else they are on GameFAQs.

Ah, yes. Then absolutely never discuss anything about your personal life, because people will compile dossiers on you from the time they are moderated until they find enough information to attack you off site. Capital idea.

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There was a former mod who was made a new mod and specifically PM'd me that he would 'take me down' for creeping on CEgals
He was demodded within two weeks
There was the former mod on the LoL boards who used the usermap to follow and harass someone on LoL board and Error suspended him when it was brought to his attention (I could be wrong but Error posted in the topic it was dealt with seconds after he got suspended)

So like, there is accountability. Both were during Alan's reign IIRC.
It's just people like to bitch a lot and often get it wrong hwo modded them

Valjackal posted...

names to be attached to their moderations and your solution to circumvent the inevitable harassment is "change your name." But, all in the interest of "transparency", right?

I do find it amusing that these mods seem to think this "inevitable harassment" argument is a good one when it is not. Again, this is one of the few communities that operates in this fashion, you are one of the least accountable moderation groups in existence, and you seem to demand anonymity on the extremely low chance that someone magically trapezes their way through your multiple layers of anonymity to harass you in real life... despite any other person being subject to the chance of similar harassment on a daily basis.

You don't want accountability. It begins and ends there. If you can't or won't defend your judgements, you probably shouldn't be in a position to judge anything.

I have two moderations. one being from a fucking mistake I made and didn't even know it was a porn site name and I'm defending them

when's the HOT female mods gonna tell me to drink more since I'm simping. I'll even take an average male mod pretending to be a female mod

Moderators do have accountability. It's just not to the CE "complain about moderations" crew.

The people in charge of the site already can see who does what. Why does random CE user #4296 need to know which moderator deleted their post calling another board user stupid while implying it was all due to some conspiracy to mod that person in particular?

What do you think CE knowing which moderator deleted a post they don't agree with being deleted is going to solve any problem you guys have with the moderation system?

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Ps2Twilight posted...

Wouldn't help much considering there's already conspiracy theories of multiple mods being alts of the same mod.

It would take less than a day for people to start saying Error is telling other mods what to mod so it creates the illusion it's multiple people handing different posts.

That's quite an imagination. There will always be a few nuttzos but that's a pretty subjective and imo weak reason not to provide some transparency. I think it would help a bunch to prove those types wrong and help others see if there really are biases or not.
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voldothegr8 posted...

That's quite an imagination. There will always be a few nuttzos but that's a pretty subjective and imo weak reason not to provide some transparency. I think it would help a bunch to prove those types wrong and help others see if there really are biases or not.

But that has fucking happened.
Like, ERROR MODDED ME
'uh guise... he's not been active for the past 7 hours?'
HE TOLD SOMEONE TO MOD ME THEN

Like this is CE.

Error1355 posted...

What do you think CE knowing which moderator deleted a post they don't agree with being deleted is going to solve any problem you guys have with the moderation system?

What would exposing a bad moderator that makes poor decisions doing their job accomplish?

Are you honestly asking this question? Are you not familiar with how accountability works? You have to know which mods are fucking up before you can push them to be better or be gone.

Here, let's ask you a question. If there is a documented history of bad decisions by a mod that defy the rules or basic logic, what should happen to that mod?

Not only does the current system protect such moderators, but it makes it impossible to identify them.

TheShadowViper posted...

You don't want accountability. It begins and ends there. If you can't or won't defend your judgements, you probably shouldn't be in a position to judge anything.

voldothegr8 posted...

Every mod gets assigned a number identifier that's stamped on every moderation, we now have some transparency and mods don't get harassed.

I'm surprisingly ok with this.

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TheShadowViper posted...

Are you honestly asking this question? Are you not familiar with how accountability works? You have to know which mods are fucking up before you can push them to be better or be gone.

The individuals who would be responsible for that have access to that information. Moderators' names being attached to moderations does not enhance that one bit.

As a manager in real life, I would never publicly blast an employee. If someone came to me and said someone was stealing, I would investigate and handle the matter with that employee and the other relevant parties, not put them on blast throughout the entire department.

Most people just want their suspicions confirmed that they're being targeted. Which funny enough, would still be proven wrong even if actions were made public.

So why not just do that then? Because the cons vastly outweigh the "pros" and it's honestly not anything you should be concerned with anyway.

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Are you honestly asking this question? Are you not familiar with how accountability works? You have to know which mods are fucking up before you can push them to be better or be gone.

well he's a lead mod so maybe he does have access to that info. i don't know. it would make sense.

what wouldn't make sense - and this was the first six words of his post and you seem to be ignoring it - is having CE know that stuff. all it would do is give them a target.

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TheShadowViper posted...

Not only does the current system protect such moderators, but it makes it impossible to identify them.

No, it makes it impossible for you guys to identify them. The people who can make the decisions have access to enough information to make informed decisions. Don't underestimate the number of mods that have been removed for poor performance.

Basically your idea of accountability is being able to attack the mod personally responsible for a bad moderation. Drag them before the court of public opinion.

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Valjackal posted...

The individuals who would be responsible for that have access to that information.

Let me stop you right here.

Just because an entity has access to information does not mean they care to exercise their abilities to act on that information nor does it provide the afflicted party (users) with a means to pressure these entities to actually examine the problem. Many wrongs are only righted after a number of people become aware of the problem and make their voice known. Again, something that is impossible under the current system.

As per usual, you are ignoring the realities of the system in order to sell some fantasy about an absent god being your accountability, as if that has any value in this discussion at all.

I think the every moderator will get an anonymous number string that will get shown in the moderation, but their username will be kept secret is the perfect solution. Brings accountability to the system and makes the bad mods have a harder time hiding behind good ones while preventing the... more unsavoury elements amongst the userbase from finding out which mod punished them and then harassing them for it.

I honestly cant think of a single good counter argument to this. Any user that insists on actually seeing the mods username is probably one of those unsavoury elements and any mod that insists even this would be too much information probably abuses their power. Im open to having my mind changed but I doubt itll happen.

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Yes. If you are repeatedly getting moderated for nitpicky stuff by the same person, you should have a right to make a complaint and have that moderator warned by the admin.

TheShadowViper posted...

Let me stop you right here.

Just because an entity has access to information does not mean they care to exercise their abilities to act on that information nor does it provide the afflicted party (users) with a means to pressure these entities to actually examine the problem. Many wrongs are only righted after a number of people become aware of the problem and make their voice known. Again, something that is impossible under the current system.

As per usual, you are ignoring the realities of the system in order to sell some fantasy about an absent god being your accountability, as if that has any value in this discussion at all.

that's pretty much how it works in real life for any job lol, no idea what you're on about

also you can refuse the moderation when you get one and I'm guessing other moderators review said moderation?

Alucard188 posted...

No, it makes it impossible for you guys to identify them. The people who can make the decisions have access to enough information to make informed decisions. Don't underestimate the number of mods that have been removed for poor performance.

Basically your idea of accountability is being able to attack the mod personally responsible for a bad moderation. Drag them before the court of public opinion.

You don't get harassed if you have a number identifier instead of user name associated with your moderations.
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TheShadowViper posted...

Let me stop you right here.

Again, you don't want accountability - you want vengeance. Remove this mod that gave me a bad mod. I'm going to compile 3 years worth of data about this moderator just to prove that he's a bad mod.

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voldothegr8 posted...

You don't get harassed if you have a number identifier instead of user name associated with your moderations.

lol

We are held to account by the administration of the site, not by users. If there is a concern with my behavior or decision making abilities, then administration will hold me to account. Not you.

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nothanks1 posted...

lol

Lets have real discussion, give an example of how a mod gets harassed in my scenario.
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voldothegr8 posted...

Lets have real discussion, give an example of how a mod gets harassed in my scenario.

>mod 1 is not Error
>user 1 thinks it's Error

NES4EVER posted...

We are held to account by the administration of the site, not by users. If there is a concern with my behavior or decision making abilities, then administration will hold me to account. Not you.

oh come on dude.

we all know the admins are afk 99% of the time, why even blow smoke up our asses like this?

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nothanks1 posted...

>mod 1 is not Error
>user 1 thinks it's Error

Over time it's proven multiple mods have moderated user1 and not Error doing it all. Win for the mods, data which can be presented.
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