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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think "this thread has been deleted at the OP's request to protect privacy" is being overused?

84 replies

candycoatedwaterdrops · 02/05/2014 16:24

"This thread has been deleted at the OP's request. (We don't normally delete whole threads but we will do so when it is to protect a poster's privacy.)"

Don't get me wrong, I know there are circumstances where there's genuine threat to privacy BUT I've seen some threads where the OP is clearly not happy with the way their thread is going and surprise surprise, it's deleted with the above message.

OP posts:

PrincessBabyCat · 02/05/2014 16:28

Meh. Is it really a deal? Why do you need someone else's drama to keep dragging out?

Personally, I just ditch threads that get off point or out of control. They'll figure out it's beating a dead horse after a couple pages.

Original poster

candycoatedwaterdrops · 02/05/2014 16:30

I'm not talking about drama threads, just where people are disagreeing and giving different input.

OP posts:

PrincessBabyCat · 02/05/2014 16:33

Yeah, personally I don't care. There's a million threads on this site to chat in or in my case lurk like a creeper. The ones I've seen being deleted weren't all that interesting in the first place.

Some people just can't handle criticism I guess?

morethanpotatoprints · 02/05/2014 16:34

Can't say as I've noticed OP
There have been a few I was on that ended up like this, but it was clear that the OPs anonymity had been lost.
I didn't think MNHQ would do this, just on a whim.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/05/2014 16:35

The problem is MN kind of has to take a poster at their word - they don't have the means to conduct an in depth investigation as to potential impact on privacy

usualsuspectt · 02/05/2014 16:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlarmOnSnooze · 02/05/2014 16:38

I very nearly started a similar thread earlier today. I have a hunch you might be talking about the same threads I would have been.

Protecting privacy was an odd reason to give for those, and yes, it was completely an utterly because the threads were not going the way the OP wanted.

I think MNHQ need to stop pretending they don't delete threds just because the OP wants them deleted - it is ever more obvious that threads get pulled for the most spurious of reasons.

JonesRipley · 02/05/2014 16:42

I don't care really.

BillyBanter · 02/05/2014 16:44

So what? If they want their thread deleted let it be deleted.

How would you feel if you asked for your thread to be deleted and they refused?

HecatePropylaea · 02/05/2014 16:44

I think that because people know that it is one of the things that mnhq will delete for, then if they want the thread deleted, they know to tell them that they have been/will be identified or have in the heat of the moment given out some information that they shouldn't have, etc.

And yes, that means that some people do it because they want the thread to go for any number of reasons, including the spitting out of the old dummy. So they lie.

But does it matter? Yes, it means people have wasted a bit of time posting on a thread that has gone pooof, but if the op read it, then that's what the post was intended for, wasn't it? So it served its purpose, it just doesn't remain in cyberspace for years. There won't be people in 20 years reading how YaBooSucksToYou thinks that BooHooWaaWaa was being unreasonable.

I just think that it's not worth bothering about. It's mildly irritating if you're in a mood anyway when you know that the reason they've done it is because they didn't like what was being said, but what can you do?

It clearly makes them feel better to pretend the thread never existed and the words that were said weren't said, and in all honesty I really don't think anyone cares enough to give a shit if someone wanted a thread gone because they got mardy.

Forlornhope · 02/05/2014 16:46

surely OP thats just polite, though. to allow the op to remove it

why would you want to carry on having a go otherwise?

JonesRipley · 02/05/2014 16:47

Also, even if it is the case that the thread "isn't going the OP's way" i don't feel the need to flog it until they give in an admit they were wrong. If I started to feel like that I see it as a sign to leave the thread be.

Even if a thread has been deleted, my excellent advice may have had some impact . Or it may not. I don't blame OPs for not wanting a thread continued at times.

usualsuspectt · 02/05/2014 16:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 02/05/2014 16:49

"It used to be near on impossible to get a thread deleted on MN.

Now if you go wailing to MN about the meanies,it gets deleted.

I think MNHQ want a easier life now."

^^This.

AlarmOnSnooze · 02/05/2014 16:50

Tbh, if it is for genuine privacy reasons (on whatever level) ten I couldn't care less.

I do hate it when the actual reason is 'OP has realised they have been a twat/racist/disablist/behaved appallingly an would rather whitewash the whole affair rather than face up to it' and then te deletion message trots out the privacy reason. That is a massive cop out, and supposedly not how the site operates.

Oh, except that's exactly what happens, time and again.

Sparklingbrook · 02/05/2014 16:52

I agree with everything usual said. Plus there have been a lot of really unwise threads started lately and I can't believe the OPs don't see it to start with.

rabbitrisen · 02/05/2014 16:53

At least it means that they know they lost the argument.

Sparklingbrook · 02/05/2014 16:55

But then saying that and all the trolls that have been around since penis beaker maybe MNHQ haven't got enough time/staff to deal with the madness that sometimes goes on.
Someone has to read every report, and look into it, then make a judgement call. Perhaps deleting is the least time consuming option?

Mintyy · 02/05/2014 16:58

I think there was a similar thread to this one recently, saying the same thing basically (I agree btw) but I can't find it as my advanced search button seems to have broken .

Original poster

candycoatedwaterdrops · 02/05/2014 16:59

Regarding; does it really matter? Of course not but do a lot of things on here really matter? My life isn't any different for the deleted threads, I was just passing comment.

Just to clarify, sometimes people do get recognised or someone else posts something from another thread that identifies a name changer and that's understandable.

OP posts:

NeedsAsockamnesty · 02/05/2014 17:01

I'm surprised they delete threads without good reason, I recently had to ask for my entire posting history to be wiped due to a criminal matter (I could prove it) and I was willing to provide court order type proof of the issue as well as precise details as to how my user name had been linked with me in RL and they wouldn't do it.

They did do a few other things to help but wouldn't delete anything

manicinsomniac · 02/05/2014 17:13

So what?

On the last forum I was an active member of you could edit and delete your own posts (not threads but that wasn't necessary if your own posts went).

I think that's a much better system personally. We should be able to have control over what we write. We can on all other forms of social media.

Sparklingbrook · 02/05/2014 17:15

OMG can you imagine being able to edit on here? Rewriting history?The hairy handed bridge dwellers would have a field day.

usualsuspectt · 02/05/2014 17:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

candycoatedwaterdrops · 02/05/2014 17:24

I've been a couple of forums where you can delete and edit your own posts but they were support forums, so there was minimal trolling and goading.

OP posts:

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