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Forums' Personal Messages... security of

This OP is about all discussion board Personal Message facilities.

They are often used for comments that are unsuitable for open transmission, sensitive not for public access.

But are they totally secured against access by board owners, administrators, and similar persons?

What are the expert opinions?

Comments

  • I'd imagine most forums can be configured to allow those with administrative privileges to read everyone's private messages, vbulletin (which this site uses) certainly can be.
  • amcluesent
    amcluesent Posts: 9,425 Forumite
    >What are the expert opinions?<

    Bound to be readable by admins for legal reasons (RIPA Act 2000)
  • busenbust
    busenbust Posts: 4,782 Forumite
    Admins can probably read, yes. PMs can very much be open to abuse imo.
  • robt_2
    robt_2 Posts: 3,401 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    oldwiring wrote: »
    This OP is about all discussion board Personal Message facilities.

    They are often used for comments that are unsuitable for open transmission, sensitive not for public access.

    But are they totally secured against access by board owners, administrators, and similar persons?

    What are the expert opinions?

    Of course admins can read them if they want to.

    People must be pretty naive to think otherwise.
  • busenbust
    busenbust Posts: 4,782 Forumite
    robt wrote: »
    Of course admins can read them if they want to.

    People must be pretty naive to think otherwise.
    agreed lol; if the admins can't access then who the hell can!!:eek:
  • oldwiring
    oldwiring Posts: 2,452 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    robt wrote: »
    People must be pretty naive to think otherwise.
    So I'm naive for asking the question?:D

    IMO Probably applies to emails too sent between members via the boards. I asked to confirm my own suspicions.
  • fermi
    fermi Posts: 40,542 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler
    Depends what you mean by an "admin"?

    You can't read PMs via the normal vBulletin Admin Control panel by default I think.

    But 3rd party hacks do exist that can add that functionality if you wish to install them. Not got a clue if MSE has or not....

    If by "admin" you also mean someone that has access to the mysql database/tables for the forum, then PMs could be read in a roundabout (but not very convenient) way from those.

    There is in the site Privacy Policy
    We do not monitor our forums or any of the communications between our users (e.g. private messaging). However, we may record and use particular communications that are posted in connection with any investigation of any possible misuse of the forums or any other communication systems that we operate.
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