Mn HQ, when you delete a thread to “protect someone’s privacy,” do you actually read the thread or do you just take it at face value?

[NoCauseRebel]

FWIW I don’t particularly care if MN are happy to delete threads just because the OP fancies having them deleted, but wouldn’t it just be better to be honest about it rather than to go on about the OP having privacy concerns?

We know after all that most threads deleted to “protect a poster’s privacy” are because the OP isn’t being told what they wanted to hear etc, but most recent one had a sum total of about twelve posts on it, in no way breached anyone’s privacy.

Actually when I saw the deletion message I assumed it had been recognised as a troll so was a bit bemused when I read the deletion message.

PS: the assumption was based on how few posts it had had, and having read the OP and her subsequent post I couldn’t think of any other reason why it would be removed.

It seems very clear that MN will take the privacy concern reason at total face value without reading the thread etc or, dare I say I it, looking into the background of the poster, and people don’t take the privacy concerns thing seriously any more because of the ludicrous threads which are deleted on that basis, so wouldn’t it be better to just delete at OP’s request if you’re going to have an open delete policy anyway? L

I think where privacy is concerned it's best to err on the side of caution. Some details might not seem outing to you, but they would be to someone who knows the OP. Only the OP can judge that. It's frustrating seeing threads deleted, but it's a really trivial inconvenience when you compare it to the real life problems that come from being outed or doxxed. MN are handling this correctly.

Hi there OP,

Thanks so much for getting in touch.

There's often a lot going on behind the scenes when HQ are talking to posters, that other posters might not be aware of. Whilst we can't say too much, as of course it'd be a handbook for trolling, we do always read the threads, and we do try and avoid taking threads down when possible. Ultimately we are here to make parents lives easier so sometimes we do think the best course of action is deleting a thread.

We hope this all makes sense but do let us know if you have any more questions.