Suggested addition to Code of Conduct

Hi-
 
I think posting the content of a PM should be considered a violation of the TOS Code of Conduct unless both parties consent before it appears on the forums. A "Private Message" should be private, IMO. I assumed they were until I saw one posted in a thread on this forum and didn't see anything about it in the TOS.
 
Thanks-
 
-Susan
 
Edited subject from "TOS" to "Code of Conduct".

I think the person who receives PM is free to use it as he/she wants, till that violates some general rules (NDA, Copyright, etc.).
 
Not allowing users to post Customers Support answers here (which are originally PMs) will slow down problem tracing for example.
 
I am for free information exchange
 
It already disturb me when some song is repeated 1000 times on radio station, not commercial self singing it in "public" (even to colleagues at work) is strictly speaking illegal. If in addition people are not allowed to speak about anything they get in PMs without special agreement, what the world it is going to be... 

azslow3
I think the person who receives PM is free to use it as he/she wants, till that violates some general rules (NDA, Copyright, etc.).
 

I agree.  It's bad enough already with folks able to hide behind anonymity.  I'm a firm believer in the idea that people shouldn't say, write or do anything to each other that would embarrass them or their families if printed in the local paper.  If somebody gets embarrassed by their behavior, maybe they'll learn something from the experience.
 
On the other side of it, be careful who you trust.
 
Admins/moderators/hosts already have enough to deal with, IMO.

Tricky one Susan though I think I can see where your coming from.  When the content of PM's are used in a negative manor then I think I agree.  This may well fall under the Code of Conduct third paragraph. 
 
Then as Azslow3 says when from support the content can be of use.

Back in the halcyon days when the internet was all shiny and new, revealing the contents of a private email on e.g. usenet without the sender's permission was considered the height of bad manners.
 
"Private communication" does not equal "copy it wherever you like" because if it's intended for everyone to see it would have been posted on the forum in the first place.
 
Obviously there are exceptions - e.g. someone using PMs to send abuse. Though copying that kind of thing to the forum is likely to just fuel a flame war. Hopefully the moderators would step in if notified about abusive PMs and take suitable action.
 
I've seen private messages made public ruin more than one forum/newsgroup, especially if the quotes from that communication are selective.
 

BobF
It's bad enough already with folks able to hide behind anonymity.  I'm a firm believer in the idea that people shouldn't say, write or do anything to each other that would embarrass them or their families if printed in the local paper.  If somebody gets embarrassed by their behavior, maybe they'll learn something from the experience.

 
There can be all kinds of good reasons for anonymity and not wanting the world to know who you are, on a forum like this that includes being a child (children and teenagers are often advised to protect themselves from the risk of abuse by not using their real names) or being someone really famous. And if we only say in private communications what we'd be happy for the world to know that would pretty quickly terminate all kinds of support groups - health related, sexuality related, abuse and bullying related...

tlw
 And if we only say in private communications what we'd be happy for the world to know that would pretty quickly terminate all kinds of support groups - health related, sexuality related, abuse and bullying related...

I have thought this particular forum is for a bit different discussions
 
Now seriously. What you have mentioned is already regulated by International and Local laws and policy. At least in Germany, it is not allowed even save private information (name, address, etc.) without explicit permission. I am sure Cakewalk already respect common rules.
 
But "posting PM is considered a violation of the TOS" means that posing ANY information you have received in ANY PM is a violation. And that is something I do not like at all.
 
For example you have received a PM from someone asking for help with the content "As soon as I connect my BadStyle3S mouse, Sonar is crashing and I start whining...". If you publish "Mr. X from Flowers Street in Bern start whining every time his Sonar crash", that is already a violation of common rules. But if proposed by OP rule is introduced, just quoting "As soon as I connect my BadStyle3S mouse, Sonar is crashing" with the question "Does someone else has observed that?" will not be allowed.

I do not write "from theory". I periodically receive Control Surface related questions in PMs on my forum or this forum. I do not think authors want hide something, some people just do not like "open" discussions. But I use the information from these PMs, sometimes to ask someone else in public forums, sometimes  as "tips" (for my plug-in). I respect privacy, I do not publish names or nicks and I do not "steal" ideas without asking before.

John
Between the hackers, the government and foreign powers, to believe something is private involving the internet is preposterous. Just saying!  

For some reason, the men in black don't seem to opening everyone's paper mail.  I wonder why not.  They're not shy with everything else.
 

I agree with your point just as Dave did. Nor was I explaining anything to you in particular. However the whole notion of privacy on the internet is a delusion.  What some people do is based on their value system. Sometimes it isn't much of one. 

Thanks everyone for posting comments and concerns.
 
Ultimately I'm not sure it's something we can actually enforce simply do to the fact that, other then database admins, nobody can read other's private messages. In other words, who is to say whether or not something was sent in a PM or not? Adding it to the TOS/CoC wouldn't result in any action since nobody could really confirm what was fact.
 
Beyond that, we really can't prevent anyone from copying / pasting contents of their inbox, even with a disclaimer. Fact of the matter is that information can easily be shared and often is.
 
With that being said, while I do agree with the general sentiment that private messages should be kept private, I'd discourage anyone from sharing personal or potentially discriminating information with anyone on the internet. 

Right Ryan. 
The point being that those that think it's OK to copy from a PM need to read somewhere that it is not OK. Then, when the forum hosts are made aware of an incident, they have the backing to respond in kind.

bapu

Susan G
Hi-
 
If I got an abusive PM

Can you please post it so we can vote on its relative abusiveness?

One persons abuse may be anothers'  pleasure,, yes?

drewfx1
 
I can't see why having the words "respect other's privacy" in the TOS would be any kind of a problem.

    
+1 Agree.
PM (Private Message) is meant to be 'private' for many reasons: Anyone with harmful intent can very easily distort the facts, or use as a means to blackmail. Imho anyone engaged in making a PM public without consent should be banned because it's obviously an abuse of privacy. Regarding technical support? In this case usually the sender and recipient will consent, though not always. Sometimes technical issues require sensitive information, that should be kept private. 
          
Receiving threats via private message should be reported to the administrators, on other forums I have participated on the administrators are clear about this, my wife and I have seen people get banned. Serious offenders are likely to be reported to the appropriate authorities. Private messaging, Emails and phones (and texting) are common avenues for abuse. . . if you received a threat or scam then of course it should be reported.
             
Over the past 20 years my wife and I had experienced all sorts forum issues of such as:

• Received threats, then immediately reported it to police.
• Received a message from fake collections, we reported it to the police.
• Unauthorized use of copyrighted works, a "Cease and Desist" resolved that.
• Our private conversations made public without consent. That issues was resolved quickly.
• Added two members to block-list because they 'yet again' engaged in bigotry, politics and posturing with intent to derail my topic.  Explained to them that the topic was really important regarding a worthy cause.
• My wife and I always include a disclaimer (privacy) Emails and PM, which is a lawful and common formality. No conspiracy, nothing to get hot under the collar about. It's just a formality.
• Again, had content of private message posted on the forums without consent. This was done with intent to distort the truth.
• Two members after knowing they were added to block-list had a hissy-fit openly on the forums... boo hoo ... They then proceeded to dig up dirt along with wild accusations, their motive is evident in this case, (sour-grapes added to block-list).
• Claims that I made threats? Not true. If need be, my wife and I will include disclaimers in private messages, a formality. If a member indeed made threats to anyone, then this is reason enough to be banned. No one was banned because it did not happen.       

Unfortunately, Cakewalk forums are not immune to such behaviors.  I tried to keep the peace by posting "Agree to Disagree" and "No Politics Please," though this (my) attempts to keep the peace doesn't always work. After repeated derailments of my topics I finally drawn the line, I'm human, I shouldn't have to be repeatedly subjected to lies, bigotry, politics and posturing, surely reason enough to be upset, that's why I posted: I'm leaving. This topic is a rare exception because I felt the need and right to share my experience based on facts. Seriously, I get no thrills with hopping on that popcorn wagon, and often in other circumstances I'm concerned for the welfare of others. That is when I draw the line.

From at least two years ago I considered having nothing more to do with 'any' forums (and F/book). My family is close knit, caring and I spend a lot of time with them, I also need to allocate time making music. This year I made great connections with labels, radio stations, TV hosts and publicists, I have recently received offers and basically I have a lot of goodies on my plate to consider. I don't hold grudges against anyone here. Surely it's fair to my share my thoughts and move along, and I apologize to anyone I may have unintentionally dissed off. I never meant to harm, I'm human, and I'm certainly not perfect. The Coffee House is full of nonsensical (humorous, fun), that's okay. There are many great people on the Cakewalk forums, I wish you all good health and contentment.  All the best!