Are "Private Messages" really private?
 

Or do staff people monitor these communications? Are members notified when staff look at these communications?

Some people may have confidential conversations using the Private Messaging feature, and as long as reassurance can be given that these are truly "private" messages, I'm sure people will continue to use that feature. But if people have to worry about a staff member snooping and leaking confidential info, it may be better to use regular e-mail.

The vBulletin Admin control panel does not provide any means to read the contents of any users' private messages. It does provide functionality in reporting private message statistics (number of users who have 1 private message, have 2 messages, etc. and can list those users). There are also options to delete all of a user's private messages, but I imagine such a function would only be used to save disk space or if they were purging inactive users etc. That said, though, the messages are saved in the board database on the server, so in theory, they could be viewed by an administrator who really wanted to see them (how easily, I don't know). Then again, your e-mail is stored on a server somewhere on the internet and is that any more or any less secure/private? If you truly want private, use encryption.

FewMiles..

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 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).

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. ^ )

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.

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. ;)

In this sense, the answer is no.

You're welcome, btw.

FewMiles..

fewmiles's answer was most appropriate.

However, there are 2 separate questions that relate to your issue:

#1 - Can the admin staff at FlyerTalk access your private messages? The answer to that question is yes, they can.

#2 - Will the admin staff at FlyerTalk access your private messages? The answer to that question would have to come from them directly.

Right, thanks, so then my question to the admin staff would be, under what circumstances will anyone other than me access my private messages? Do I have a right to object?

Will I receive advance notification that my PM's will be looked at?

I really love the new FT, just want to get all the answers on these issues. Thanks.