A reminder that we do not allow members to publicly share other contact details that they may have, typically but not limited to email addresses, or links/references to other messaging services such as Trillian/Zangi etc. etc. The chat room rules and acceptable use policy relate:
Frankly, I think anyone who posts that kind of information in any publicly accessible space is asking for trouble. Allowed or not, I would only share coordinates by DM with someone who I have already talked to by DM or chat on site.
A vacation encounter as a man seeks to cope with a less than merry holiday season. My Natasha
A gay teen's lust for a friend leads to some erotic exploration. Finding Myself
Quote by Mit
Does this encompass providing or asking such contact information in the About section of the Profile, Media captions, Media comments, and Story comments? Those are the commonly used sections where contact details are publicly provided aside from the common rooms.
I think John is specifically talking about chat here given the forum this is in. I am not sure about those others. Likely okay in the About but not in those others but that's a guess.
A vacation encounter as a man seeks to cope with a less than merry holiday season. My Natasha
A gay teen's lust for a friend leads to some erotic exploration. Finding Myself
Quote by Mit
Does this encompass providing or asking such contact information in the About section of the Profile, Media captions, Media comments, and Story comments? Those are the commonly used sections where contact details are publicly provided aside from the common rooms.
The rule applies to any public 'space' across the entire site. I posted here since yes the problem is most prevalent in the chat rooms.
Quote by Seeker4
Frankly, I think anyone who posts that kind of information in any publicly accessible space is asking for trouble. Allowed or not, I would only share coordinates by DM with someone who I have already talked to by DM or chat on site.
You will be surprised what happens in the Chatrooms nowadays. Some users nonchalantly drop their contact details in public like flyers or post 'check my profile' where their contact information is displayed.
The Chat mods usually delete those almost in real time when they intercept a report, especially when they are in the Chatroom.
Quote by Seeker4
Likely okay in the About but not in those others but that's a guess.
I have seen those listed in the About section removed/redacted.
Quote by Mit
I have seen those listed in the About section removed/redacted.
And that's what John's response was. No contact info in public areas. Which is as it should be.
A vacation encounter as a man seeks to cope with a less than merry holiday season. My Natasha
A gay teen's lust for a friend leads to some erotic exploration. Finding Myself
Quote by simplyjohn
The rule applies to any public 'space' across the entire site. I posted here since yes the problem is most prevalent in the chat rooms.
Thank you for the verification. I will put my foot to my mouth for the following recommendations, especially when mods are unavailable:
a. Add the hot terms to the developers' filter/blacklisted words. Include 'same name' and the possible shortened versions regardless of casing, such as Trill, Tril, Trl, Tr, or T for Trillian; GC, gchat or G for Google Chat; Snap, SC for , etc.
Also, asterisked terms are easily deciphered. Obscure/redact the words similar to how phone numbers are obscured with a 'REMOVED' in red over them or better, greyed/blacked out to minimize drawing attention to the redacted word. Set a uniform length of obscurement to mask the actual length of the hidden word.
Some, if not many, users recreated their accounts so that their Lush username and their external messaging platform's username match for easy sharing. Nothing beats a 'same name' hint when they have run out of the daily free messages. It's funny how some even lookup Lush usernames on other platforms to add, as if there has to be a Trillian or counterpart of that username.
b-1. Set an automated Chatroom mute for users who post the blacklisted words, which will also prompt a report to their profile with an automated warning or explanation of what was violated and why they were muted. If the user believes that it was erroneous, they can reply to explain why it was not.
b-2. Similarly, if done on a Profile (About, Media caption/comment) or Story comments (someone spammed an Advent competition entry story comments section), the user will also be muted (or suspended) and receive the warning.
c-1. Suspend/ban users who pop and drop, phish or pharm especially right after account creation. These are mostly new accounts (typically with alluring photos from the internet) that go to the rooms, then drop their contact details or tell users to DM their contact information even without prior interaction.
c-2. Suspend/ban repeat offenders. This includes those who frequently invite/promote/ask users to other messaging platforms in public.
d-1. Highlight the 'Welcome' message similar to how a broadcast appears.
d-2. Add a fun pop-up message that requires acknowledgment of the:
✅ Rules for the Chatroom
✅Acceptable Use Policy
✅Terms and Conditions
before users get to the landing page (Lounge).
There will be no lame excuses of ignorance for not knowing them.
In my opinion as a currently freeloading, participating observer, this will minimize mentioning of other messaging websites/platforms and usernames, spamming, reports, and maybe even admin tasks related to this. It is not a must to purchase a subscription which is good. But it is a must to respect and follow the site rules that every member agreed to upon sign up in the first place.
