Discourse moderation and privacy - Revision history

RevampBot: Wiki revamp: restructure & modernise

2026-07-17T12:00:00Z

Wiki revamp: restructure & modernise

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:00, 17 July 2026
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	== Moderation ==		== Moderation ==

	Usually very little moderation ~~should be~~ required.		Usually very little moderation is required. There are moderators, but by default, moderation is switched off for new posts and replies in all groups except Announcements.
	There are moderators but by default moderation ~~will be~~ off for new posts and replies in all groups (except Announcements).

	On Discourse ~~there aren~~'t separate moderators for each forum~~; instead~~ there is just one set of moderators.		Discourse doesn't have separate moderators for each forum - there's just one set of moderators across the site.

	~~Note: in~~ addition to Moderators, there are ~~higher-powered~~ Admin users who can change all site settings. ~~"Admin"~~ and "Moderators" are called "Staff" in Discourse ~~parlance~~.		In addition to Moderators, there are more powerful Admin users who can change all site settings. Admins and Moderators are together called "Staff" in Discourse. There's also an "Announcers" group who can post Announcements alongside Staff (see below).
	There is also an "Announcers" group ~~of users~~ who can post Announcements (~~in addition to staff users) -~~ see below.

	* [https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/about List of Discourse admins and moderators]		* [https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/about List of Discourse admins and moderators]

	Behind the scenes, Discourse ~~also~~ has 5 trust levels; we'~~re not~~ really ~~using those~~. By default all ~~volunteer users~~ are on level 1 and can post topics and replies. In exceptional circumstances, a ~~user~~ can be put onto level 0 ~~by moderators~~, ~~which means any~~ posts must be approved~~. This might happen if the user's account has been hacked for example~~.		Behind the scenes, Discourse has 5 trust levels, though we don't really use them. By default, all volunteers are on level 1 and can post topics and replies. In exceptional circumstances - for example, if an account has been hacked - a moderator can put a user onto level 0, meaning their posts must be approved before appearing.

	== Contacting the moderators ==		== Contacting the moderators ==

	Anyone can contact the moderators by emailing volunteer-support@ilovefreegle.org~~. This is~~ a separate mailbox unconnected with Discourse.		Anyone can contact the moderators by emailing volunteer-support@ilovefreegle.org - a separate mailbox, unconnected with Discourse itself.

	If you have concerns about a specific post ~~then~~ you can "Flag" it for the moderators' attention.		If you have concerns about a specific post, you can "Flag" it for the moderators' attention.

	There is a private discussion group for ~~the~~ Discourse Moderators called "Discourse Mods".		There's a private discussion group for Discourse Moderators called "Discourse Mods" (Discourse admins can see all posts in there). There's also a private "Staff" group for admins and moderators, though this may not be needed.
	~~Note that~~ Discourse admins can see all posts in there.

	~~Currently there is~~ also a private "Staff" group for admins and moderators, ~~but~~ this may not be needed.

	== Private messages disabled ==		== Private messages disabled ==

	Private messages could be enabled for users~~; however~~ admins would be able to see all ~~these messages;~~ to avoid confusion~~, private messages are therefore disabled~~.		Private messages could be enabled for users, but since admins would be able to see all of them, they're disabled to avoid confusion. Moderators can still send private messages to each other and to users, though this isn't recommended, to avoid extra channels that admins can see but ordinary users can't.

	Moderators can still send private messages to each other and users.
	~~However~~ this ~~is not~~ recommended - to avoid extra channels ~~of confusion (which~~ can ~~be seen by admins)~~.

	== Privacy ==		== Privacy ==

	The Discourse ~~discussions~~ forums ~~will~~ only be visible to Freegle volunteers with a ModTools account~~. This will be~~ quite a few people, so please don't share anything confidential.		The Discourse discussion forums are only visible to Freegle volunteers with a ModTools (MT) account - quite a few people, so please don't share anything confidential.

	Please ~~try not to share~~ personal details ~~of Freegle users~~ on the forums - ~~for example~~ use their numeric user id rather than email address to identify them~~. Do not~~ share personal details outside of the forum.		Please avoid sharing members' personal details on the forums - use their numeric user ID rather than their email address to identify them, and don't share personal details outside the forum.

	Your email address and the groups you moderate ~~will be~~ visible ~~in Discourse~~ to other volunteers.		Your email address and the groups you moderate are visible to other volunteers on Discourse.

	Admin users can see all activity in Discourse, so private messages ~~for users and~~ private groups and teams ~~are not~~ used (apart from the moderators and staff groups as described above).		Admin users can see all activity on Discourse, so private messages, private groups and teams aren't generally used, apart from the moderators and staff groups described above.

	In ~~accordance~~ with our general [https://www.ilovefreegle.org/terms Terms] and [http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Freegle_Volunteer_Agreement Volunteer Agreement] we ~~will not~~ pass on your email to anyone else.		In line with our general [https://www.ilovefreegle.org/terms Terms] and [http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Freegle_Volunteer_Agreement Volunteer Agreement], we won't pass your email address on to anyone else.

	Freegle ~~will not~~ use adverts on Discourse.		Freegle doesn't use adverts on Discourse.

	The Freegle system automatically updates everyone's Discourse bio overnight as most people won't remember to keep it ~~up to date~~. ~~The code only sets your bio with a list of~~ groups ~~that~~ you ~~are~~ active on, where you've approved a message in the last c.60 days.		The Freegle system automatically updates everyone's Discourse bio overnight, since most people won't remember to keep it current. It lists the groups you're active on, based on where you've approved a message in the last 60 days or so.

	== Special ~~Notice Announcements~~ ==		== Special notice announcements ==

	~~The moderators~~ and announcers can send ~~out~~ a special notice by posting a topic to the Announcements group. If you ~~are~~ in Mailing List Mode or watching ~~this~~ group ~~then you will be notified~~. You ~~cannot~~ reply to ~~these~~ announcements~~. You~~ can switch off these notifications in your Preferences.		Moderators and announcers can send a special notice by posting a topic to the Announcements group. You'll be notified if you're in Mailing List Mode or watching that group. You can't reply to announcements, but you can switch off these notifications in your Preferences.

	~~Note that there is~~ only one Announcements group, so there aren't per-group special notices.		There's only one Announcements group, so there aren't per-group special notices.

	== Impersonation ==		== Impersonation ==

	Admin users can impersonate any non-admin user on the system, including Moderators.		Admin users can impersonate any non-admin user on the system, including Moderators, to help that user. Every impersonation is logged by Discourse and visible to any Admin, though actions taken while impersonating aren't specifically logged. A user can't see if they've been impersonated, but a log of all their own activity is available to them.
	~~This is intended for used~~ to help ~~the~~ user.
	~~Each~~ impersonation is logged by Discourse and ~~can be seen by~~ any Admin.
	~~Actions~~ taken while impersonating ~~are not~~ specifically logged.
	A user ~~cannot~~ see if they ~~have~~ been impersonated but a log of all ~~your Activity~~ is available.

	[[Category:Discourse]]		[[Category:Members, Discourse & App]]

Jacky: /* Privacy */

2025-07-31T10:01:32Z

Privacy

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:01, 31 July 2025
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	Freegle will not use adverts on Discourse.		Freegle will not use adverts on Discourse.

			The Freegle system automatically updates everyone's Discourse bio overnight as most people won't remember to keep it up to date. The code only sets your bio with a list of groups that you are active on, where you've approved a message in the last c.60 days.

	== Special Notice Announcements ==		== Special Notice Announcements ==

Jacky: /* Contacting the moderators */

2021-12-01T12:16:43Z

Contacting the moderators

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:16, 1 December 2021
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	== Contacting the moderators ==		== Contacting the moderators ==

	Anyone can contact the moderators by emailing ~~centralmods~~ @ ilovefreegle.org ~~(squish)~~. This is a separate mailbox unconnected with Discourse.		Anyone can contact the moderators by emailing volunteer-support@ilovefreegle.org. This is a separate mailbox unconnected with Discourse.

	If you have concerns about a specific post then you can "Flag" it for the moderators' attention.		If you have concerns about a specific post then you can "Flag" it for the moderators' attention.

Chriscant: Change from "categories" to "groups"

2019-10-29T13:10:29Z

Change from "categories" to "groups"

Chriscant: /* Special Notice Announcements */

2019-09-29T10:23:23Z

Special Notice Announcements

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:23, 29 September 2019
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	== Special Notice Announcements ==		== Special Notice Announcements ==

	The moderators and announcers can send out a special notice by posting a topic to the Announcements category. If you are in Mailing List Mode or watching this category then you will be notified. You cannot reply to these ~~annoucements~~. You can switch off these notifications in your Preferences.		The moderators and announcers can send out a special notice by posting a topic to the Announcements category. If you are in Mailing List Mode or watching this category then you will be notified. You cannot reply to these announcements. You can switch off these notifications in your Preferences.

	Note that there is only one Announcements category, so there aren't per-category special notices.		Note that there is only one Announcements category, so there aren't per-category special notices.

Chriscant at 10:22, 29 September 2019

2019-09-29T10:22:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:22, 29 September 2019
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	Anyone can contact the moderators by emailing centralmods @ ilovefreegle.org (squish). This is a separate mailbox unconnected with Discourse.		Anyone can contact the moderators by emailing centralmods @ ilovefreegle.org (squish). This is a separate mailbox unconnected with Discourse.

	If you have concerns about a specific ~~posts~~ then you can "Flag" it for the moderators' attention.		If you have concerns about a specific post then you can "Flag" it for the moderators' attention.

	There is a private discussion category for the Discourse Moderators called "Discourse Mods".		There is a private discussion category for the Discourse Moderators called "Discourse Mods".

Chriscant at 10:21, 29 September 2019

2019-09-29T10:21:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:21, 29 September 2019
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	* [https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/about List of Discourse admins and moderators]		* [https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/about List of Discourse admins and moderators]

			Behind the scenes, Discourse also has 5 trust levels; we're not really using those. By default all volunteer users are on level 1 and can post topics and replies. In exceptional circumstances, a user can be put onto level 0 by moderators, which means any posts must be approved. This might happen if the user's account has been hacked for example.
	Behind the scenes, Discourse also has 5 trust levels; we're not really using those. By default all volunteer users are on level 1 and post topics and replies. In exceptional circumstances, a user can be put onto level 0 by moderators, which means any posts must be approved. This might happen if the user's account has been hacked for example.

	== Contacting the moderators ==		== Contacting the moderators ==

Chriscant at 09:25, 29 September 2019

2019-09-29T09:25:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:25, 29 September 2019
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	== Impersonation ==		== Impersonation ==

	Admin users can impersonate any non-~~Admin~~ user on the system, including Moderators.		Admin users can impersonate any non-admin user on the system, including Moderators.
	This is intended for used to help the user.		This is intended for used to help the user.
	Each impersonation is logged by Discourse and can be seen by any Admin.		Each impersonation is logged by Discourse and can be seen by any Admin.
	~~The action~~ taken while impersonating are not logged.		Actions taken while impersonating are not specifically logged.
	A user cannot see if they have been impersonated but a log of all your Activity is available.		A user cannot see if they have been impersonated but a log of all your Activity is available.

	[[Category:Discourse]]		[[Category:Discourse]]

Chriscant at 09:23, 29 September 2019

2019-09-29T09:23:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:23, 29 September 2019
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	There is also an "Announcers" group of users who can post Announcements (in addition to staff users) - see below.		There is also an "Announcers" group of users who can post Announcements (in addition to staff users) - see below.

	* [~~List of Discourse admins and moderators]~~https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/about		* [https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/about List of Discourse admins and moderators]

Chriscant at 09:22, 29 September 2019

2019-09-29T09:22:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:22, 29 September 2019
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	Note: in addition to Moderators, there are higher-powered Admin users who can change all site settings. "Admin" and "Moderators" are called "Staff" in Discourse parlance.		Note: in addition to Moderators, there are higher-powered Admin users who can change all site settings. "Admin" and "Moderators" are called "Staff" in Discourse parlance.
	There is also an "Announcers" group of users who can post Announcements (in addition to staff users) - see below.		There is also an "Announcers" group of users who can post Announcements (in addition to staff users) - see below.

			* [List of Discourse admins and moderators]https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/about


	Behind the scenes, Discourse also has 5 trust levels; we're not really using those. By default all volunteer users are on level 1 and post topics and replies. In exceptional circumstances, a user can be put onto level 0 by moderators, which means any posts must be approved. This might happen if the user's account has been hacked for example.		Behind the scenes, Discourse also has 5 trust levels; we're not really using those. By default all volunteer users are on level 1 and post topics and replies. In exceptional circumstances, a user can be put onto level 0 by moderators, which means any posts must be approved. This might happen if the user's account has been hacked for example.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:10, 29 October 2019
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	Usually very little moderation should be required.		Usually very little moderation should be required.
	There are moderators but by default moderation will be off for new posts and replies in all ~~categories~~ (except Announcements).		There are moderators but by default moderation will be off for new posts and replies in all groups (except Announcements).

	On Discourse there aren't separate moderators for each forum; instead there is just one set of moderators.		On Discourse there aren't separate moderators for each forum; instead there is just one set of moderators.
Line 21:		Line 21:
	If you have concerns about a specific post then you can "Flag" it for the moderators' attention.		If you have concerns about a specific post then you can "Flag" it for the moderators' attention.

	There is a private discussion ~~category~~ for the Discourse Moderators called "Discourse Mods".		There is a private discussion group for the Discourse Moderators called "Discourse Mods".
	Note that Discourse admins can see all posts in there.		Note that Discourse admins can see all posts in there.

	Currently there is also a private "Staff" ~~category~~ for admins and moderators, but this may not be needed.		Currently there is also a private "Staff" group for admins and moderators, but this may not be needed.

	== Private messages disabled ==		== Private messages disabled ==
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	Your email address and the groups you moderate will be visible in Discourse to other volunteers.		Your email address and the groups you moderate will be visible in Discourse to other volunteers.

	Admin users can see all activity in Discourse, so private messages for users and private ~~categories~~ and ~~groups~~ are not used (apart from the moderators and staff ~~categories~~ as described above).		Admin users can see all activity in Discourse, so private messages for users and private groups and teams are not used (apart from the moderators and staff groups as described above).

	In accordance with our general [https://www.ilovefreegle.org/terms Terms] and [http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Freegle_Volunteer_Agreement Volunteer Agreement] we will not pass on your email to anyone else.		In accordance with our general [https://www.ilovefreegle.org/terms Terms] and [http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Freegle_Volunteer_Agreement Volunteer Agreement] we will not pass on your email to anyone else.
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	== Special Notice Announcements ==		== Special Notice Announcements ==

	The moderators and announcers can send out a special notice by posting a topic to the Announcements ~~category~~. If you are in Mailing List Mode or watching this ~~category~~ then you will be notified. You cannot reply to these announcements. You can switch off these notifications in your Preferences.		The moderators and announcers can send out a special notice by posting a topic to the Announcements group. If you are in Mailing List Mode or watching this group then you will be notified. You cannot reply to these announcements. You can switch off these notifications in your Preferences.

	Note that there is only one Announcements ~~category~~, so there aren't per-~~category~~ special notices.		Note that there is only one Announcements group, so there aren't per-group special notices.

	== Impersonation ==		== Impersonation ==