group private messages?

Brie

"Forumites! From Monday 16th August, group private messages will no longer be possible on the Forum. If there’s anything you need to make a note of from previous chats, please make sure you do so before this date."

sorry but I have no idea what you are referring to with your new message about group private messages.  it's probably something completely obvious to everyone except me. 

MovingForwards

There will no longer be the option to private message more than one person at the same time and in the same private message.

Brie

I can send private messages?  Who knew??!!?!

Former_MSE_Laura

Hi @Brie,

Thanks for your question

As part of ongoing changes to the Forum, the private group chat function is being deactivated. This is to help us crack down on abusive and bullying behaviour, and to help maintain a safe and welcoming environment. As well as the feature being removed, all existing private group chats will be deleted on Monday 16th August.

To clarify, this only affects group chats ie: three or more participants. Direct one-to-one messages between two users will continue to function as normal.

All the best,

MSE Laura

KeithP

Has this change already happened?

I was part of a 'group chat' and could access that without issue yesterday.

Today, when trying to do that, I see the message...
 


I thought I had until Monday 16th August to retrieve anything useful from the chat, but that appears not to be possible.

Indeed, @MSE_Laura you told us on Monday...

MSE_Laura said:

...all existing private group chats will be deleted on Monday 16th August.

spenderdave

The notice at the top of the threads earlier gave the August date, this morning I saw it said 'shortly', this evening the notice has totally disappeared. Strange goings on at MSE...

KeithP

Yes, this is the message that appeared on Monday...



So apparently we cannot rely on messages put out by the Forum Team.
Disappointing.

MSE_JC

Hello,

While we would have liked to allow a longer window for people to retrieve information from any group chats, unfortunately - as a result of issues arising from that function - in the best interests of our Forumites the decision was made to delete all group chats earlier than originally announced. An updated banner message had previously been posted on the Forum, but we appreciate that we were unable to provide more warning in this instance. The safety and wellbeing of our Forumites is of paramount importance to the Forum Team, and we thank you for your understanding.

MSE JC

J_B

I'm just a simple country boy, but can anyone explain in simple terms how group PM's affect "The safety and wellbeing of our Forumites " and "help us crack down on abusive and bullying behaviour"

Please and thank you.

jamesd

Have the group chat messages been deleted now? If not, when is this expected to happen?

This question was prompted by:
1. private messages not actually being deleted by the previous forum software when it was requested and confirmed to have happened.
2. the mention of permissions, implying that the content may remain.

If not yet deleted, when is deletion, meaning rendering the content effectively unretrievable by anyone including staff, per ICO guidance, expected to happen?

Ms_Dee

J_B said:

I'm just a simple country boy, but can anyone explain in simple terms how group PM's affect "The safety and wellbeing of our Forumites " and "help us crack down on abusive and bullying behaviour"

Please and thank you.

@J_B Because people would add certain people to a group message and gang up and bully others, I would assume. 
Yes they can still do that via usual messaging, but they could easily just block and report them and they can't stop all private messaging as it wouldn't be fair of those that use it correctly. There are always some that ruin it for others.