Are Private Messages Really Private???

[heat]

Just curious to know if PM's are really private after all?

Or does the administrastion have the ability to read what we write if they so choose?

If this is the case, then should we be worried about what we are saying in a supposedly private area?


Can i have some clarification on this please?

[Heli]

I was thinking the same thing only the other day!! So i would also like to know!!

[Deb]

Sure I read R say somewhere a while back, that if need be he can see them, or something like that, but don't quote me on it lol

[original sin]

no idea! would hope so becuase I have given address and phone numbers in that manner

[ROSIE]

s..t I hope so



R sie

[libertine]

Had the same question myself after the new rule including a phrase about not discussing certain things via PM was posted...

[original sin]

Originally Posted by ROSIE

s..t I hope so



R sie

I know what you mean Rosie - In many ways I have confided some personal stuff to people I consider friends here.

[sherrie87]

As I recall, R said that he has the ability to read any PMs as part of the software program that runs the board but that he has never had need to. Is that a proper summation of what was said R.?

Sherrie

[AndyK]

From my understanding of the PHP software that this board runs on that is the case Sherrie. In the same way that the admin people at your ISP could read any message that is sat in your inbox before you download it to your PC.

[R.]

The messageboad (and since October) the website is database driven. That means, all content is retrieved from a database and displayed through a template system. This is why you can change the layout of the website for you.

Having said that, if you have physical access to the database, you are able to read everything which is stored in there. I have physical access to the database and I know the access passwords. I can backup and restore the database. Hence I can access private messages too.

The forum software however, has no admin interface for private messages. You can check this at phpbb.com or just ask some forum members who are running a phpbb themselves. I cannot see PMs with just a few mouse clicks. I have to go through the backup and restore process and then manually query the restored database.

In a nutshell, I can access them if there would be a need for it, but this is not a 5 minute and 2 mouse-clicks job.

And fyi, this is practially the same with your emails stored in your providers mailserver. They could read it if there would be a need for that.

Hope that answers the questions.

Edit: Spelling. Do we need a spellchecker here?

[ROSIE]

Phew :) thanks R. I can tell my lawyer he won't be needed and more importantly my age is still a state secret

R sie

[AndyK]

Originally Posted by ROSIE

Phew :) thanks R. I can tell my lawyer he won't be needed and more importantly my age is still a state secret

R sie

No it's not Rosie..... You're Barely 17 aren't you?

[ROSIE]

True you wonderful man and yes barely dressed


R sie

[R.]

Originally Posted by ROSIE

True you wonderful man and yes barely dressed


R sie

[heat]

Originally Posted by R.

In a nutshell, I can access them if there would be a need for it, but this is not a 5 minute and 2 mouse-clicks job.

So, basically, what you're saying is that you don't normally read peoples private PM's at all, have i got that right?

Could you also define for me what you mean by 'If there was a need for it'? How could you tell if there was a need for a PM to be read?

Also, if you DO read a private PM, do you tell the person that you have seen it? And waht happens if you see something you don't like? Do you act on it?

[ROSIE]

You've got be kidding it's freezing


R sie

[AndyK]

Turn the heating up then Rosie...........

[ROSIE]

No I'll just put my clothes back on

R sie

[LostSoul]

Originally Posted by R.

We all saw your red knickers at Wembley... someone must have taken pics! ......... .........


Patricia

[ROSIE]

Yes dear they did but inthe interests of public order they were never posted


R sie

[AndyK]

Originally Posted by ROSIE

No I'll just put my clothes back on

R sie

spoilsport :P

[ROSIE]

Andy I think you need to moderate yourself go on I won't look honest

R sie

[heat]

Sorry to rain on your parade here guys, but any chance my question can be answered???

[AndyK]

ONly R can really answer with respect to what he means Heat, but the way I read it is that he says that he can if need be look at PM's but he doesn't.

I presume the "need" would be based on a specific complaint of abuse or harassment, but agin only R has the real answer and I wouldn't dream of putting words right into his mouth

[R.]

Originally Posted by heat

So, basically, what you're saying is that you don't normally read peoples private PM's at all, have i got that right?

Yes.

Originally Posted by heat

Could you also define for me what you mean by 'If there was a need for it'? How could you tell if there was a need for a PM to be read?

If fanclub management tells me so.

Originally Posted by heat

Also, if you DO read a private PM, do you tell the person that you have seen it? And waht happens if you see something you don't like? Do you act on it?

Yes and yes.