Originally Posted by anonplz
I just want to know: 1. if someone is going to access my private messages, I will be informed ahead of time, and that, ideally, my refusal to consent will be respected; and
Earlier I stated that the vBulletin software does not have any means for anyone else (Admins, Mods, or whoever) to read your PMs, and therefore if there is some sort of invasion of your PMs, then it is done outside of the vBulletin software and therefore means you would not be informed if that is happening. But, I am pretty sure that the FT admins are respectful of their users' privacy and don't see them having any reason to read your PMs short of search warrant or subpoena.
2. that nobody is snooping around my "private" messages looking for "incriminating" info to leak to others. By that I mean, like if I had sent a private message to you criticizing Randy Petersen's hair style, I would probably want that to remain private. But use your imagination - I would prefer that ALL my private messages to other members remain "private," bar none. There are people on the boards about whom I feel less than warm and fuzzy, and if I am discussing experiences with them, obviously, I want those third parties to remain ignorant of my personal feelings (since that really is irrelevant to whether or not a member is legit or not).
I'd more worry about the other party forwarding your PM to others than the admins sneaking a peek at your PMs.
Heck, I've been telling others that Randy needs a haircut for ages. Nothing's happened to me yet.
All I truly want, at this point, is a "yes" or "no" answer, i.e., "yes, private messages are really private," or "no, private messages are accessible to more than just you and the other member you are messaging."
(thanks for your response, fewmiles. ^ )
In this sense, the answer is no.
You're welcome, btw.
FewMiles..