How private are messages?

supertouchsupertouch
in General

I'm sure this has been asked a billion times, but without a forum search option, here's the billion+1th.

What sort of access do mods have to messages? Not that I think I'm doing anything wrong, I know I'm not, but I've heard so many cases of people being banned for things that supposedly happen in messages (pros giving numbers without booking, suggestive messages, etc) that I wonder, assuming no one reported anyone for abuse, how the mods would know? I kind of have this assumption that mods read every message. I know that's probably not true. But the thought creeps me out, and I want to know that it's absolutely not true. Any mods have an insight on how the sausage is made?

Comments

  • pmvinespmvines

    My understanding is the only time mods access an account is when there has been a report made and it's for investigative purposes

    @sideon ?

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel
    edited October 2025

    Well if a moderator had a duplicate account would they truly objectively investigate it? Perhaps they would as an exercise in introspection and self-awareness.

  • SideonSideon

    @escapevelocity - @pmvines summed it up nicely.

    Is it creepy? I think of looking at messages like looking at people's literal dirty laundry. Between the unsolicited nudes, the scammers asking for gift cards, the misogyny, the homophobia, the threats of violence and abuse? Let's just say I've seen it all and heard it all and do not have the time nor inclination to read unless I absolutely have to for the safety of the community.

    As I've said and continue to say for myself and fellow mods: follow the site rules, and be kind to yourself and others. I don't have any interests or agenda other than that.

    @TheFunCartel - fun fact - mods can't have duplicate accounts either. We would be flagged and bagged like anyone/everyone else.

  • LadyVelLadyVel

    When someone is reported, Mods gain access to that person's messages to investigate. Otherwise, they don't have access.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    I kind of have this assumption that mods read every message.

    Well I am not a mod, but I am clairvoyant and a mind reader. As such…I wouldn’t be doing what you are thinking @escapevelocity

  • supertouchsupertouch

    When someone is reported, Mods gain access to that person's messages to investigate. Otherwise, they don't have access.

    This is what I was hoping. But it's not exactly what was said by @Sideon , so my paranoia remains!

    I wouldn’t be doing what you are thinking

    Getting Jack In The Box tacos at 1136pm? Yeah, you're probably right I shouldn't. But I am.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    Getting Jack In The Box tacos at 1136pm? Yeah, you're probably right I shouldn't. But I am.

    Yes, I know. The first step is admitting you have a problem. No way you should be cuddling after eating that unless the cuddler’s name is Charmin.

  • JubalJubal

    It's safest to assume that the mods on ANY social media site can have full access to your private messages at any time if they feel there's a need for it.

    Not suggesting or implying anything negative about the mods on this particular site.

  • disneysamuraidisneysamurai

    Bet the government can read your messages

  • [Deleted User]WriterGF (deleted user)

    I can't think of anything I have ever messaged here that I would be concerned about someone else seeing.

  • SoosonSooson
    edited October 2025

    As someone who looks at people's social security numbers, bank account information, tax returns, photo IDs, credit reports etc. daily, I assure you the paranoia is overrated. I only look at that stuff when I have to, trust me. It does not feel like a privilege at all but more like a duty. I bet you if you could get full access to read people's DMs it would get old really fast.

  • ShaneSchruteShaneSchrute

    @Sideon thank you for all your tireless work here for this community. I have always appreciated mods but I understand better now that I’m a mod myself for an animation discord server that happens to have a lot of kids in it. It takes lots of skill, time, and emotional labor much of which goes unseen. When I open my messages here and see the last 6 questionable people I’ve decided not to continue talking to have been banned I see just a bit of the work you’re putting into this. So, again a sincere thanks to you and all of the mods here.

  • JasonCuddlesJasonCuddles

    They're not. Almost all of them aren't no matter what you are using. When it comes up I always say something like whatsapp has end to end to end encryption.

    AFAIK signal is pretty decent though.

  • CharlieBearCharlieBear Mod

    The thought that seven mods and two admins are reading everyone’s messages is just wild. Us mods are unpaid volunteers and have day jobs outside of CC.

    But if the fear of having your messages read keeps you from being inappropriate, then sure, assume we having nothing better to do than read millions of conversations every day 😅

  • CharlieBearCharlieBear Mod

    @Sooson
    It does indeed get old real quick.

  • OokerSnapperOokerSnapper
    edited October 2025

    The mods may not be reading them, but the NSA has it covered. Lol

  • SideonSideon

    @escapevelocity - Reread what @pmvines says. If still paranoid, then fall back to the classic "if you write something your mother wouldn't approve" and knowing SOMEONE has access here to read it when we do have time and are bored or whatever...then maybe it shouldn't be on CC. Maybe. IDK. Again it's all dirty laundry to me and I have as much interest in that as I do in reading phone books.

    Well said, @CharlieBear .

    Thank you, @ShaneSchrute .

  • jps76jps76

    From the terms and conditions::

    You agree that You have hereby been informed and noticed that any and all messages and other communications which You submit to Company directly or through the Website can be read by the operators and/or other agents of Company whether or not they are the intended recipient(s).

    Although we do not assume the duty or obligation to monitor any messages or other materials posted or uploaded to the Website by third parties, including You, we reserve the right but not the obligation, in our sole and absolute discretion, to monitor any and all materials posted or uploaded to the Website by third parties, including You, at any time without prior notice to ensure that they conform to any content guidelines or policies of the Website which may be applicable from time to

  • NickoliNickoli

    This discussion brings up a great suggestion for how this site could be improved. Having a forum search option. I know this would probably be better placed in the forum for suggestions on how this site could be improved but i couldn't find it.

  • CharlieBearCharlieBear Mod

    @Nickoli
    The is a forum search option on the right side of the page when you are viewing the forums.

  • SweetCuddler33SweetCuddler33

    @Sideon phone book?? what is a phone book? Ha

  • SideonSideon

    @SweetCuddler33 - I'm showing my age, LOL

  • ShyDaveShyDave

    You should always approach email as if nothing is private. That said, it is likely filters in policy are set to look for phone numbers and personal email addresses. Using them will create alerts and things may be investigated from there. It's very unlikely anyone associated with CC is randomly reading your emails. Without cause, an admin will lose their job for that. And very few admins are typically given the permission level where emails can be read.

  • GuyverGordonGuyverGordon

    You know what, I bet one of you mods really are looking through all the messages. (I'm looking at you @CharlieBear). And I'll tell you why; they are writing a series of novels based on those messages. Here are some of those titles:
    - 50 Shades of Platonic
    - Lady and the Banned
    - The Pro and the Restless
    - The Greatest Cuddler
    - The 12 Moderators
    - Hidden Hugger, Crouching Pro
    - Now You See Me: A Ghosting story
    - The Sixth Photo ("I see banned people")

    🤪

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    🤣🤣🤣 @GuyverGordon

  • KariMeiSnugglesKariMeiSnuggles

    @CharlieBear woah what! You guys aren’t paid?!? I always assumed that’s where part of the fees I pay go. You deserve to be paid for keeping us safe!

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    @KariMeiSnuggles posted: "woah what! You guys aren’t paid?!? I always assumed that’s where part of the fees I pay go."

    Yep, nope. It's criminal the mods here are not paid.

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

    🫂 Enthusiast 🐄 Vegan 🏞 Traveler

  • HoldYouClose88HoldYouClose88

    @CharlieBear I second what @KariMeiSnuggles said! How are the mods not being paid for all of their work? 🥺

  • [Deleted User]WriterGF (deleted user)

    Nextdoor doesn't pay their mods either.

  • LadyVelLadyVel

    There are a lot of social media that have unpaid mods and even admins. I'm an admin for a FB group and I sure don't get paid for it. lol

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