Flags
Flags are an option for users to bring a post to the moderators’ attention. This can include posts that need some formatting or category/tagging assistance as well as those that are off-topic, confusing, rude, or offensive.
Users who repeatedly have their posts flagged as Off-Topic, Inappropriate, or Spam can receive one, two, or even three consequences depending on the content of their posts and the frequency of their flags. Repeat offenders can lose Trust Levels, the trust of the other users, or even their account.
How to flag a post
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When you come across a post needing moderator assistance, click the flag button underneath the post.
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Fill out the required information about why you are flagging the post.
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An email notification will be sent to the user who reported the post and the user who made the post. The emails include the next steps in the process and a time frame for the review process.
Types of consequences
Moderator update
Posts that are flagged as Off-Topic or needing “Something Else” (for example, significant formatting improvements) may be modified or moved by the moderation team. The original poster will receive a notification of any edits.
Examples of moderator updates for common scenarios:
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Formatting issues - Moderators may make a quick edit to improve formatting of quotes and code or log snippets. We’ll also send a private message to the original poster with more information including formatting tips.
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Off-topic – Posts and replies will be moved to a new discussion topic, which will also create a link between the original discussion topic and the new one.
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Inappropriate category or tag – Posts will be edited with more appropriate category and tag selections.
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Potential private information disclosure - Flagged posts including cluster credentials or information that likely should be not be public will be moved to a private discussion with the original poster to confirm whether the information disclosure was intentional.
Warning
Posts considered Inappropriate will either be deleted or edited by moderators, and will also associate an Official Warning flag with the original poster’s account.
Examples of inappropriate posts that can lead to a warning include posts that are:
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Contrary to the MongoDB Community Code of Conduct.
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“Random” – Posts that have nothing to do with the topic of the thread or the MongoDB Community.
Spam
Posts flagged as spam by either user flags or system flags will be reviewed by a moderator.
Confirmed spam posts will be deleted and result in immediate account suspension or removal.
Suspension
Repeat offenders who continually post offensive, off-topic, confusing or otherwise inappropriate content in the forum will receive notice of account suspension after several warnings/flagged posts.
The length of an account suspension is set at the discretion of the MongoDB Community Team.
Examples of inappropriate posts that can lead to an account suspension include posts that are:
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Rude – Repeatedly or extremely rude toward another member of the community.
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Mean – Includes mean comments toward the creator of the thread or other members of the community.
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Argumentative – Excessively argues with other users.
Removal/Ban
Repeat offenders who have received numerous warnings and/or an account suspension can be removed from the community and banned from the forum. A removal/ban from the forum only occurs for major infractions of the MongoDB Community rules for posting and code of conduct.
Removal/ban is permanent.
Examples of inappropriate posts that lead to removal/ban include posts that are:
- Excessively mean/rude – Includes language that is mean or rude to the point that others are extremely upset or disturbed.
- Racist – Includes racial slurs or slang.
- Misogynistic – Includes comments that are hateful or prejudiced toward women.
- Homophobic – Includes comments that are hateful or prejudiced toward LGB individuals.
- Transphobic – Includes comments that are hateful or prejudiced toward transgender individuals.
- Offensive – Includes words or phrases that are offensive to members’ knowledge or experience, gender identity, orientation, ability, appearance, body type, race, ethnicity, or religion.