Best way to deal with op abuse?

[paizuri]

I'd just like some user feedback on how we should handle people caught abusing the video opinions system. Typical forms of abuse are:

- Making multiple accounts to inflate/deflate video scores.
- Making spam opinions full of lots of words to boost usefulness ratings.
- Coercing people during op exchanges ("You rub my back, I rub yours").

Also, do you think these people should be publicly shamed?

[Otohiko]

I don't really think either way in terms of 'publicly shamed'

Otherwise, my suggestion would be to simply make their op scores permanently ignored by the scoring system, if that's possible. So that they could write all the ops they wanted, and not have them count for anything - video average, top 10%, etc. (and, say, indicate to the creator with some color that the scores don't count or something).

That way, they can still feel free to give as much feedback/rating as they like, but can't use it for ulterior motives. And if they really happen to want it back for some reason, perhaps they could beg, plead and show some well-written opinions for a change.

[Arigatomina]

For people offering high scores on the op exchange, a few mods posting in the thread should teach them not to be so public about it.

For the extra accounts, if it's one or two, a warning to the creator should be enough - an email or PM if you think the person will get it, or a temporary lock/message somewhere in that person's account so he knows he's been warned (like a message that pops up when he tries to log in to check for reviews). If he's making a mess of accounts, he's dedicated and motivated - temp ban or a removal of his ability to get reviews on his videos for a while. If he offends a second time, then make it permanent.

The copy and paste spam - if we're talking miscellaneous text - doesn't make much difference to anyone but those who know about the 'usefulness' list, or those who want to attract op exchanges by having a high score. It's a minor offense compared to fake reviews. I don't even know if you can remove someone's ability to leave reviews, but that should take care of the problem. I doubt people caught doing this would do it a second time, so a temp-ban/strong warning should be enough.

It's the extra accounts that are really bad, hard to catch and they can really weight the charts. I'm all for perma-banning those who make 10+ accounts to raise their vids (or lower other people's vids). Anyone who'd go that far will just make new accounts to keep pimping/flaming if you slap him on the wrist.

Public shaming...good for those who make duplicate accounts. It would also warn off people from exchanging ops with the spammers and inflators (inflators = flamers if you don't score them high enough).

Just be prepared for some backlash if you publically shame a popular editor for something he did a year or two ago (spam reviews, I've seen it from some of our best editors).

Might want to put a "report this review" link somewhere, or at least make it known that abusive ops are not acceptable and should be reported to the mods. Forum regulars know, but I don't think it's anywhere on the main site.

[Zarxrax]

I don't really think either way in terms of 'publicly shamed'

Otherwise, my suggestion would be to simply make their op scores permanently ignored by the scoring system, if that's possible. So that they could write all the ops they wanted, and not have them count for anything - video average, top 10%, etc. (and, say, indicate to the creator with some color that the scores don't count or something).

That way, they can still feel free to give as much feedback/rating as they like, but can't use it for ulterior motives. And if they really happen to want it back for some reason, perhaps they could beg, plead and show some well-written opinions for a change.

That solves only one aspect of the issue. Sure, there scores aren't being counted in so that can be as abusive as they want, but for the users who recieve the opinions from that person, they will still bitch about recieving the opinion. Unless there is some indication on the opinion that the scores on it don't get counted...


I'm all for completely removing the opinion option for users who are shown to be habitual abusers. If they cause a problem once or twice, give em a slap on the wrist and a warning, they keep doing it, show them that you mean business.

[SarahtheBoring]

Banhammer. All aspects of the site. No publicity - it just gives them attention.

Okay, perhaps a warning - explain to them what they are doing and why it is forbidden, on the outside chance that they don't understand - and a universal ban on the second offense.

/you'reallluckyI'mnotinchargepart8

[Otohiko]

and not have them count for anything - video average, top 10%, etc. (and, say, indicate to the creator with some color that the scores don't count or something).

Unless there is some indication on the opinion that the scores on it don't get counted...

That's what I noted there.

I can live with total removal, sure. My idea might be more elegant, but if it's too much to implement.... eh

[Al'x]

My biggest problem with opinions is people who do not honour the opinion exchange forum.

I think there are 4 or 5 opinions that people have never given me even though they were offering in that forum and I gave them an opinion...

[Otohiko]

Hmm. I can see a way this could be institutionalized - add some sort of an op exchange system whereby the commitment would be tracked.

Could be as simple as a checkbox.

Still, another possibly-too-fancy batch of coding for the site...

[SarahtheBoring]

Op exchange isn't a coded-in part of the site, it's just an honor system among members. It's like if I said I would lend you some DVDs in a comment in General Anime and then never got around to it. It's not the admins' job to punish stuff like that. Tell the other Op Exchange regulars that that person's word can't be trusted, or something. But they didn't actually break a rule, just acted rudely.

[VegettoEX]

Banhammer. All aspects of the site. No publicity - it just gives them attention.

Perfectly stated.

No reason to bring attention to it, which would just further the interest of other people in doing it or finding other ways to do it.