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Bliss asked in Yahoo ProductsYahoo Answers · 1 decade ago

Would placing daily limits on reporting abuse hinder YaTrolls?

Many people are having problems with "trolls" constantly reporting them, even when they're not guilty of violating any guidelines, simply because the trolls are drunk on the power of having posts removed and, in some cases, getting people's accounts suspended. Sure, we have the right to appeal, but every good troll knows that Y!A is completely backlogged and appeals sometimes take months. (See forums if you don't believe me.)

There are limits for asking/answering questions, so why can't there be limits on reporting, too? That would force people to learn what constitutes a violation and be more selective about what they're reporting. That could seriously hinder the trolls' ability to harrass others.

What do you think about imposing daily, or weekly, limits on reporting abuse? Could this help stop the YaTrolls or would it make things worse?

Update:

Vince,

I know about the "trusted reporters" but not everyone handles power well, even if it's just Y!A power. Sometimes power is abused.

We were on opposite sides of the fence in another question regarding this issue, and I'm always willing to agree to disagree, but I'm sure you've seen at least one question that was removed for no logical, discernable reason.

Peace to you as well.

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    I don't think there should be a daily reporting limit because I want to be able to report violations such as threats or vulgarity, but would be annoyed if I couldn't because I've reached my daily limit. I DO, however, feel that Y!A should raise the number or reports they receive on a user before a violation notice is issued...especially if they aren't going to review them each individual case.

    Now, it appears you're aware that Y!A's FAQ says a question or answer will be removed if it's reported by one or more "reliable users, " and that if the circumstance is more serious then the Answers staff may remove a question or answer themselves after reviewing it. However, the majority of the time they're just automatically removed and violation notices are issued, because of the way the Y!A system is designed. I personally feel the whole reporting/violation system needs to be changed because innocent questions and answers will be reported/removed while others, that are extremely offensive, are left alone. PLUS, I know that there are waaaaaay too many trolls disguised as "reliable users" who are out to get other users they don't like by wrongfully reporting them.

    Furthermore, people who state their opinions are being reported as well. And Y!A says that having a strong opinion is NOT a justifiable reason for reporting someone. They just ask that users "do not use slurs to refer to groups of people, do not insult other members, and do not act in a belligerent manner towards others" when stating their opinions. Unfortunately other users still do report opinionated questions or answers regardless of the fact that they don't violate any of the community guidelines. This is EXTREMELY frustrating because honest Y!A users shouldn't have to pay the price for report happy trolls!

    Source(s): Are questions and answers automatically deleted when they are reported? http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/answers/abuse/abu... What is a troll? http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/answers/abuse/abu... When does a strong opinion become a violation? http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/answers/abuse/gui... Answers Community Guidelines http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/answers/abuse/
  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    I were given a similar message after reporting applele 12 circumstances yet I waited for 10 min. and that i can answer now. i don't think of it counts antagonistic to you. likely in basic terms yet another beautiful yahoo glitch. o.ok.oracle lady bot you're next.

  • 1 decade ago

    I think there's a more all-inclusive limit placed on all reports of abuse that isn't generally acknowledged. It's the "trusted reporter" limit. That actually classes your supposed worthiness to have your report counted and cuts you out of the group before your report is logged as a valid one. If one has paid attention to the yahoo blog's comments on the way "trusted reporting" works, one knows that there are some pretty heavy filters in place to limit who can be a real contributor of complaints. Therefore, I think the influence of "trolls" on getting things deleted from Answers is vastly (and paranoically) over-rated by users.

    Peace

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Agree 100%. I get answers deleted because people disagree.

    I myself would not spend the time to appeal I don't care that much but I agree it is annoying.

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