Quote:
Hello everyone:
With regards to today's update, along with bug fixes, we also added a word filter to make Gaia safer. The word filter blocks the "p" word from being used, and it's a change that only cover this one aspect, which we realized that we needed to be more proactive in terms of restricting.
We are sorry that the word filter might cause problems for people who have legitimate conversations about the topic, and that the word filter isn't the complete solution to making Gaia safer. It's a choice that we made in response to following best practices for being a safe community.
Much similar to following the COPPA guideline and restricting users under the age of 13, these measures aren't exactly what we love enforcing. Given it our way, we would have no restrictions what so ever. Though in a world that is less than perfect, there are those who actually go out of their ways to harm others. As a result, we have to install a number of measures that are our best effort in trying to make Gaia a safer place for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding. And sorry for all the inconvenience this is causing.
PS -
The filter does act against the principle of free speech, just like how we do not allow racist comments, hate crime, or support of criminal activities on Gaia. The difference is that this particular issue is of an important enough level where a) it's an issue that can potentially bring the site down, and b) we need to make a stronger statement for those people who are involved in such activities to stay away from Gaia (you know who you are). So we are enforcing it on a tougher matter, not as a solution, but as a statement. This will be the one and only word/topic that we're having such a tough stance on.
These issues about predators seem like prime time TV material that's just another reporter's topic until the day authorities came to us about it happening on Gaia. It troubles me to no end thinking that I created a site which end up getting people hurt, and I need to take the responsibility of such events in one form or another. Legal advisers and safety groups were consulted, and this word filtering is the result of the many consultation and many hours of debates.
Again, I'm here to hear everyone's concerns and feedback. I cannot claim that I'm doing the right thing 100% of the time, so listening to your feedback is still very important at this point.
With regards to today's update, along with bug fixes, we also added a word filter to make Gaia safer. The word filter blocks the "p" word from being used, and it's a change that only cover this one aspect, which we realized that we needed to be more proactive in terms of restricting.
We are sorry that the word filter might cause problems for people who have legitimate conversations about the topic, and that the word filter isn't the complete solution to making Gaia safer. It's a choice that we made in response to following best practices for being a safe community.
Much similar to following the COPPA guideline and restricting users under the age of 13, these measures aren't exactly what we love enforcing. Given it our way, we would have no restrictions what so ever. Though in a world that is less than perfect, there are those who actually go out of their ways to harm others. As a result, we have to install a number of measures that are our best effort in trying to make Gaia a safer place for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding. And sorry for all the inconvenience this is causing.
PS -
The filter does act against the principle of free speech, just like how we do not allow racist comments, hate crime, or support of criminal activities on Gaia. The difference is that this particular issue is of an important enough level where a) it's an issue that can potentially bring the site down, and b) we need to make a stronger statement for those people who are involved in such activities to stay away from Gaia (you know who you are). So we are enforcing it on a tougher matter, not as a solution, but as a statement. This will be the one and only word/topic that we're having such a tough stance on.
These issues about predators seem like prime time TV material that's just another reporter's topic until the day authorities came to us about it happening on Gaia. It troubles me to no end thinking that I created a site which end up getting people hurt, and I need to take the responsibility of such events in one form or another. Legal advisers and safety groups were consulted, and this word filtering is the result of the many consultation and many hours of debates.
Again, I'm here to hear everyone's concerns and feedback. I cannot claim that I'm doing the right thing 100% of the time, so listening to your feedback is still very important at this point.
Bascially, he's placing a filter on the site that prevents one from using the word for "child lover" in the forums. The logic behind this is it will discourage such people from preying on the children of this site.
I, personally, am outraged. This doesn't solve the problem. Fearing of possible litigation, the ill-advised solution these guys were given was to simply sweep the problem under the rug by pretending such a word doesn't exist. Meanwhile, if any peds are on the website, they are allowed to roam and exploit the young like a starving wolf.
Here's the link:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/site-feedback/a-note-about-the-word-filter-on-gaia/t.33872659/
I encourage anyone who reads this to step up and speak out against such poor actions and decisions.
UPDATEIt appears that the ordeal's coming under evalutation, if not overridden by various public complaints.
