Submitted by Smoke Wijaya on Tue, 26/05/2009 - 20:33
Posted in
Don't Snitch - subvert the Adult Content plans!
Don't Snitch! - Subvert the Adult Content plans!
by slDM, May09
Linden Lab has made up its mind on the new Adult Content policy and already had at the moment they announced the plan.
Massive protesting on the forums and through pjira issue #MISC-2727 have not halted the implementation, nor radically changed the plans. Only minor touch-ups of the implementation of this huge issue with massive implications for our world have been reached, like longer period for business owners to relocate before the opening of the new continent. Also the definition of what constitutes adult content and conduct got some changes, but is still very broad and this is on purpose: "We will broadly define what is "sexually themed" to include any sexually oriented activities and conduct. [...]" (1).
In any case, there are no plans from Linden Lab's side to halt implementation of the Adult Content (AC) policy (Let us call it AC, not AO. It is stupid to create more potential problems, especially with heavy censoring of search); our chance for successfully opposing this thinly veiled PR move, translated into draconian measures and an enforcement-disaster waiting to happen, lies in non-compliance and non-conformity, in massive 'civil' disobedience to subvert and halt the implementation of the Adult Content plans!
Our first and most important chance to subvert the implementation lies in refusal to report 'violations' of this AC-policy. Linden Lab will try to enforce the policy, but "can't monitor all ephemeral content and conduct within Second Life" and therefor Linden Lab has to "rely on abuse reports that identify adult content or conduct that is promoted or advertised publicly".(2)
A massive, gridwide refusal to snitch on AC policy violations, a gridwide refusal to impose through force our own taste onto others, a gridwide acknowledgment of freedom of expression and speech, will substantially subvert Linden Lab's ways to monitor and control!
As said above, Linden Lab "broadly define[s] what is "sexually themed" to include any sexually oriented activities and conduct" and that Linden Lab will rely heavily on the abuse report system to "identify adult content or conduct that is promoted or advertised publicly".
When someone reports abuse, they do so on their interpretation of a rule. When this rule is very broad, the interpretations of what constitutes abuse will be very broad, easily fitting in with someones prejudices and despite Linden Lab stating that they, "as with all reported activity in violation of our policies, [..] will actively review all reports of adult conduct" (3), we know this is not the case and that this will be cause for many unjust suspensions and deletions. Linden Lab on many occasions does not at all review abuse reports and of those that they do review, they often do not investigate the claims and especially not the context.
What constitutes AC abuse will be bottomlined by the most puritan users that decided to snitch. Don't snitch!
Linden Lab further states that they will "provide Residents with a channel for rebuttal" (4) which is also meaningless PR. You can send an appeal request after you have been banned (if you get a notification), but there is no transparency, accountability, objectivity whatsoever and "Linden Lab reserves sole discretion in considering whether to take any action on an appeal".(5)
Furthermore, a massive, gridwide refusal to snitch will open up an easier road for people to refuse to comply with flagging their land, venues and content with the Adult designation and further, refuse to relocate their venues to the AC continent.
Don't Snitch!
Subvert the AC Crackdown!
(1,2,3,4) - Second Life Support Center: "What are "Adult" Regions, groups, events, and classifieds?"
[url][url]
(5) - is stated in email notifications of suspensions/bannings
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For updates, info, posters, signs on this campaign and following actions we would like to refer you to:
slDM HQs in SL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kaskitayo/225/197/52
slDM Website: http://sldemocraticmovement.org/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sldm
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sldm
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They should listen to people
They should listen to people before implimenting this kind of rule.. It doesnt help anyone to be forced.
Jill xx
Agreed. But they should not
Agreed. But they should not only listen, they should activily create a participatory decisionmaking process (which includes creating the necessary 'legal' basis for meaningful negotiation in the ToS)
I am a perv.... "Dear Smoke
I am a perv....
"Dear Smoke Wijaya,
This email is notification of action regarding your Second Life account,
Smoke Wijaya, for violation of the Second Life Terms of Service or
Community Standards.
Violation: Community Standards: Indecency, Adult Content"
lol
Now I did not do anything that would be considered "adult content", not even close. The possibility for new Adult Content policy and the rotten Abuse Report system to settle personal scores with, we already predicted of course.
But I tried again to "appeal" this decision taken; and of course there is still no clear way to appeal. With the support ticket system where you *have* to pick certain subjects of your ticket, "AR appeal" or soemthing is not to be found. People still have to improvise when appealing. Nevertheless, I actually got a reply this time (yes, I almost fell of my chair):
Hi Smoke,
The only thing I see going on at that parcel is your "Don't Snitch" sign, which is free expression.
I've noted the warning in your record to prevent it from weighing on any future Governance actions. I apologize for your receiving it.
Hallelujah
You're right; I don't think the warning was proper.
Always suspected as much ;-)
Always suspected as much ;-) People defending free speech must be pervs, right?
So this is like being convicted for murder, and then having noted in your criminal records the next year that maybe that conviction was a bit rash, instead of removing the record :-(
Still, it is somewhat encouraging that you did get a reply at least...last time I tried the ticket system I only got standard computerized answers... Luck of the draw or actual improvement?
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