To think mumsnet HQ are deleting far too many threads?

[Prettybluepigeons]

It seems that not liking the replies you get is a valid reason to have a thread deleted these days.
Yesterday someone posted about bloody fake nails and it was deleted.

I think users should be able to delete their threads. Sometimes threads go on for pages slagging the OP off over and over if they've been an idiot (or even if they haven't...) even after the OP has taken their advice on board.
I think it'd stop a lot of the bunfights.

Why should it be such a problem that a thread is deleted? MN is a rarity in sites and forums I use in not giving posters the ability to edit and delete their own threads and posts and I really don't understand the strength of feeling against it.

Agree. There's a certain moderator who seems to believe they have the last word on what and how discussions are allowed to proceed and seemingly delete any that aren't up to snuff on a whim, or according to a new set of rules only they seem to be aware of.

I don’t understand the moderation at all.

A few years ago I made a post in an existing thread about being sexually assaulted by someone who’s a semi-public figure, regretted it because I felt I’d shared too much information, and asked for it to be deleted. MN refuses to delete the post - not an entire thread, literally one single post on like p5 of a longer thread - on the grounds they didn’t like to have holes in threads. It took ages and multiple emails before they agreed to respect a sexual assault victim’s right to privacy and delete a post that could have gotten me and MN potentially sued.

Now entire threads are deleted because a poster doesn’t like being criticised.

I could cope with deleting threads it they were consistent but when one thread is deleted because of rudeness towards a person Who is known by the general public but another one is allowed to stand then they need to start to be consistent - either delete none or all

I agree that far too many threads are removed over 'privacy concerns'.

BUT on the other hand, I don't think a lot of the troll threads, begging threads are removed often enough/quickly enough.

I've actually stopped using mn as much over the last weeks, because of the number of obvious troll posters/threads, it's like a flood atm and hq doesn't seem to be on the ball.

As a lot of other forums do.

Most forums don't and will never delete threads unless for legal reasons. They acknowledge it's frustrating and insulting for users to spend their time giving replies and then having them deleted on the whim of the OP.

It's especially insulting - to our intelligence - when the OP claims it's for "privacy reasons."

We create the content for MN - we're the product. It doesn't make sense to delete our posts and it pisses people off.

Well the potentially libellous thread regarding Boris Johnson still stands, where its insinuated hes in rehab. If that baseless speculation was made about a certain two other people, the thread and poster would be out on their arse before breakfast.

@lifesalongsong

I agree, it is a bit ridiculous, they might as well allow the OP to delete their own threads and be done with it

Agreed. It's getting more and more common for OPs to just request a thread to be deleted, so they might as well just remove the middle ground of asking MNHQ as the end result is the same.

Posting in anticipation of deletion

If threads are to be deleted there should be a polite statement issued from MNHQ clarifying the particular breach of the clause in the guidelines.

I'm sick of reading threads which disappear for no proper reason.

What's just as annoying is the "we looking into thie behind the scenes" , has anyone ever seen any result of the looking, do they ever come back and update the message?

@ZoeTurtle

As a lot of other forums do.

Most forums don't and will never delete threads unless for legal reasons. They acknowledge it's frustrating and insulting for users to spend their time giving replies and then having them deleted on the whim of the OP.

It's especially insulting - to our intelligence - when the OP claims it's for "privacy reasons."

We create the content for MN - we're the product. It doesn't make sense to delete our posts and it pisses people off.

Lots of other forums let you delete or edit your own posts.

There do seem to be two sets of rules depending on who is being discussed.

Lots of other forums let you delete or edit your own posts.

I'd repeat my post again, but I don't see the point.

@Wheresthebeach

There do seem to be two sets of rules depending on who is being discussed.

Definitely!

MNHQ has furloughed a lot of staff, iirc. They don't have the resources to make nuanced calls or selectively edit threads when it's easier to delete them.

@EmbarrassingAdmissions

MNHQ has furloughed a lot of staff, iirc. They don't have the resources to make nuanced calls or selectively edit threads when it's easier to delete them.

I appreciate that, but then all the more reason for them to use their reduced moderating capability intelligently and consistantly across the board.

If threads are deleted, or the most unpleasant and defamatory posts allowed to stand because of lack of manpower then that reason should be made clear.

The only thread it appears that you can write anything on and no one cares is Boris on holiday.
If you were to write anything as bad as that on for example a Royal Family thread it would have been deleted immediately.
If you disagree - try it.

@EmbarrassingAdmissions

MNHQ has furloughed a lot of staff, iirc. They don't have the resources to make nuanced calls or selectively edit threads when it's easier to delete them.

That really doesn't explain why some threads are policed to extreme levels, with "gossip or speculation" banned, while on others such as the ridiculous Boris Johnson thread, it seems that no type of speculation is out of bounds.