[ATTN: Mr.B]Regarding the Privacy Policy and ToS of the site.

[Tutankhamun]

Due to recent changes in regards to advertising I came to question how PSU sees it relationship with it's consumers in terms of what's their's and what's PSU's. So I took a closer look at the Privacy Policy which, to my knowledge, has not been updated after the site was bought by the current owners. And I don't feel it reflect properly on the issue concerning if we, the users, own our posts or if PSU does.

I would very much appreciate an updated to the Privacy Policy and perhaps a Terms Of Service written to reflect on the issue concerning using software to add links to ads in members posts. This is something that deeply concern me and I don't feel comfortable not understanding under what ethical standards the site operates.


Since this a major change to previous advertising on the site, I do feel this is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed thoroughly and astutely.

 

[keefy]

I investigated that thread I had to disable all my adblockers and script blockers it took me about 10 tries to do it with "Temporarily enable all on this page" however I managed it and this is the result.

I do not know what a cross site script is but it doesnt sound very good to me.

I can block them and not see them but not everyone does use blockers so they will see links embeded into my post thinkin I am spamming then report me for spmming adverts.

Iphone
Ipad
Xbox
Playstation
Kinect
God of War
Gran Turismo
Assasins creed
Dark orbit

 

[Tutankhamun]

Exactly, Keefy I feel this is crossing a line in terms of what you do to your users I do not want people to think I'm spamming them with referral links. I bet this will increase the number of reports for Spam as well.

 

[F34R]

This is the same behavior the spam bots do lol. Now supported on the site eh? Can we as members spam our own links now?

 

[squirrelbo1]

yeah this could be real issues for new members, if they have links in their posts, then they could falsely look like spammers.

 

[Tutankhamun]

Yes it is very similar to a spam bot and the forum software is actually modifying our posts to use the content we create as advertising, such a change should be reflected in any Privacy Policy's and one should be allowed to opt-out.

 

[Jaeger]

You've already mentioned this numerous times now, does it really need another thread?

 

[TwentyThree]

Bishop and the rest have put a huge priority on security, meaning they are constantly upgrading the software versions, resulting in some changes in the site. From what we know Bishop and his crew are working to get some of these issues/changes ironed out.

 

[Tutankhamun]

[QUOTE="Jaeger, post: 5583513]You've already mentioned this numerous times now, does it really need another thread?[/QUOTE]

Actually, this is the first team since I joined in 2006 I've done a thread about the Privacy Policy and a ToS.

[QUOTE="TwentyThree, post: 5583532]Bishop and the rest have put a huge priority on security, meaning they are constantly upgrading the software versions, resulting in some changes in the site. From what we know Bishop and his crew are working to get some of these issues/changes ironed out.[/QUOTE]

Well, they removed these type of ads for Subscribers but he did not respond to if these type of ads is something PSU will continue to serve. As it stands then, I would like to understand what exactly is considered fair use, on their side, for advertising. We as members, by law, in a number of countries are entitled to this information.

 

[Jaeger]

[QUOTE="Tutankhamun, post: 5583542]Actually, this is the first team since I joined in 2006 I've done a thread about the Privacy Policy and a ToS.[/QUOTE]
But it's not the first time you've mentioned adverts being placed within your posts.

 

[Tutankhamun]

[QUOTE="Jaeger, post: 5583545]But it's not the first time you've mentioned adverts being placed within your posts.[/QUOTE]

Re read this thread to understand why it is about a different subject although related to recent events. Then we can lay your concerns over duplicate threads aside and focus on the discussion at hand please. If, after re-reading the thread, you are not satisfied with any content of this thread I urge you to report it for the rule you feel it breaks and move on. Thanks very much for your understanding.

 

[Jaeger]

[QUOTE="Tutankhamun, post: 5583550]Re read this thread to understand why it is about a different subject although related to recent events. Then we can lay your concerns over duplicate threads aside and focus on the discussion at hand please. If, after re-reading the thread, you are not satisfied with any content of this thread I urge you to report it for the rule you feel it breaks and move on. Thanks very much for your understanding.[/QUOTE]
There's no need to re-read, none whatsoever. If you have a problem relating to the fact that links are being placed within your posts without your permission - even though, to put it bluntly, the forum doesn't actually NEED your permission to do so - then you could've and should've done so in one of the many other related threads. From my POV, you're just looking for another reason to whinge and moan.

 

[keefy]

I disagree with your poitns jaeger, if he had not have posted this thread i would never have known my posts are being manipulated to include spam adverts to external websites and I would still be none the wiser to it becasue I block all ads on all sites I visit meaning the ads in my post are not highligted BLUE to show they are hyper links.


Ebay

 

[-Shafty-]

Jaeger is just trying to pick a fight. Stay out of the thread if its of no importance to you?

I haven't seen any links in anybody's posts? Is it because of my security? I don't use adblock.

 

[keefy]

The EBAY in this and the post above should show up as a blue link and so will xbox and ipad and iphone.


If you use adblock or noscript then I doubt you will see them but thsoe that do not will see them thats the issue.

 

[Tutankhamun]

[QUOTE="Jaeger, post: 5583552]There's no need to re-read, none whatsoever. If you have a problem relating to the fact that links are being placed within your posts without your permission - even though, to put it bluntly, the forum doesn't actually NEED your permission to do so - then you could've and should've done so in one of the many other related threads. From my POV, you're just looking for another reason to whinge and moan.[/QUOTE]

I can assure you I have never whined or moaned a day in my life nor will I. I am a reasonable man such as your self no need to take anything personal. Believe it or not, I made this thread for US the members.

You say the PSU does not need my permission, how do you know this? Such a policy is not reflected in the privacy policy. That's why we need a clear privacy policy and, possibly, a ToS so when things like this happens we can go and look at those documents and understand our rights and then decide if we want to further or involvement on PSU.

[QUOTE="T0PGUN, post: 5583559]Jaeger is just trying to pick a fight. Stay out of the thread if its of no importance to you?

I haven't seen any links in anybody's posts? Is it because of my security? I don't use adblock.[/QUOTE]

Do you run any type of privacy plugins? I had to turn off all my Safari extensions to replicate it on my desktop, I first noticed it on my iPad.

 

[Acid Snake]

Crap. Now I can't help but notice it now that it's been pointed out. It needs to be fixed.

 

[VintageElise]

Changed the title a bit to get Mr.B's attention.

 

[squirrelbo1]

[QUOTE="Jaeger, post: 5583552]There's no need to re-read, none whatsoever. If you have a problem relating to the fact that links are being placed within your posts without your permission - even though, to put it bluntly, the forum doesn't actually NEED your permission to do so - then you could've and should've done so in one of the many other related threads. From my POV, you're just looking for another reason to whinge and moan.[/QUOTE]

thats why he wants an updated ToS and Privacy policy. so he knows where he stands.

 

[Sharktooth]

[QUOTE="T0PGUN, post: 5583559]Jaeger is just trying to pick a fight. Stay out of the thread if its of no importance to you?

I haven't seen any links in anybody's posts? Is it because of my security? I don't use adblock.[/QUOTE]

He fixed so subs don't see them now. Non-subs will still See them. They disappeared for me anyways.

 

[F34R]

The problem is that whether you are a sub or not, your posts are being manipulated without your permission. This is wrong, and needs to be removed.

 

[Tutankhamun]

[QUOTE="Sharktooth, post: 5583643]He fixed so subs don't see them now. None subs will still See them. They disappeared for me anyways.[/QUOTE]

Yes, forgot to add that, browse as a guest if you are subscribed and you'll see it.

As stated though, the issue isn't subscribers and people whom block ads. These people are typically more advanced users and will understand the forum searches for keywords and add links with referrals in them based on this keyword to sell to advertisers. It's the people who don't block ads and don't understand what's going on whom will get confused.

Bottom line, this is not a good way to advertise but if you are going to do it - you need documentation to explicitly explain it. Right now, we have no idea what PSU considers theirs, will they scan PM's to serve better ads?

 

[Sharktooth]

Sorry, I was just helping topgun understand why he couldnt see them.

I really have no opinion on the actual wrongness as it really doesn't bug me. Just wanted the people who didn't see them have a fair shot to make an opinion of their own.

 

[F34R]

Well, all the content I post is the property of ME, period. If PSU is going to add software that manipulates my posts, then maybe my contributions are better served elsewhere. They should have an opt out policy for something like this. Plain and simple.

 

[Bitbydeath]

If what TwentyThree is saying is correct then the spam ads we are getting now are a direct result of upgrading to the latest version and not something that was meant for implementation.

I agree they have to go, hopefully these can be removed soon as it is annoying.

 

[F34R]

If it was an unintentional addition, and it can be removed, then I'm all for it. I find it hard to believe that someone would upgrade a forum such as this without thoroughly testing it on a non-live site before implementing it here; at the same time learning about what the new software adds, removes, etc.

 

[VintageElise]

[QUOTE="F34R, post: 5583664]If it was an unintentional addition, and it can be removed, then I'm all for it. I find it hard to believe that someone would upgrade a forum such as this without thoroughly testing it on a non-live site before implementing it here; at the same time learning about what the new software adds, removes, etc.[/QUOTE]

EDIT: Hang on, let me fetch the post.

EDIT2:

to be dead honest we just did the upgrade to the latest version of VB for security purposes - this I guess pushed out a few changes we weren't aware of. It was by no means our intention to launch unexpected changes, and nobody knew this woudl happen. We're just putting security at the absolute top of the priority list now, with all the crazy stuff going on around the interwebz these days.

From Mr.B.

 

[Nerevar]

Firstly, hyperlinking a word is hardly post manipulation. Secondly, I figured you guys would be more concerned that the site reads your cookies (personal info) to sell to third parties for profit. Not that I care, because if I have to see ads it may as well be for things I'm interested in. I simply thought it would be a more spoken issue.

Curious: Is this even mentioned in the ToS?

 

[F34R]

[QUOTE="VintageElise, post: 5583667]EDIT: Hang on, let me fetch the post.

EDIT2:

From Mr.B.[/QUOTE]
Which would be something they should have noticed when testing the update before applying to PSU.

 

[Bitbydeath]

[QUOTE="F34R, post: 5583752]Which would be something they should have noticed when testing the update before applying to PSU.[/QUOTE]

It probably got rushed cause of the hack, you know how it goes.