Blogit answers your questions
Dear Members,
Regarding the questions that certain members have had regarding Blogit policies, here is the draft of a Q&A that we hope will help address some of these concerns.
You can also read the policies and the process we follow for reviewing possible violations. These policies are there to protect everyone, and to allow everyone equal opportunity to participate on Blogit. Have suggestions for changing them? Let us know. (Please, be constructive.)
Why can’t you tell us everything about a policy violation?
This protects the privacy of the people who committed the violation; the people who were targeted, if any; and the people who reported the violation.
For example, say someone reports an abusive email to us. If we were to publish all of the details, the sender and/or their friends could use the information to identify and attack the person who reported the email. That’s not useful.
This also protects the violator. For example, if we notify someone of a violation, and they always follow the rules from then on, they should be able to continue writing without being harassed for their one violation.
Why don’t you tell us who reported the policy violation?
We don’t think it makes any difference. We believe people need to take responsibility for their actions. This is about a person’s bad behavior, not about “who told”.
It’s also important for anyone to be able to report abusive behavior while remaining anonymous, so that friends of the violator do not target him or her. That’s how things often work in the real world, and that’s how they work on Blogit.
Do you review a violation report before taking action?
Yes. We take as much time as we need to, so that we can make the best possible decision.
Don’t people get warned before they’re suspended?
Yes. We’re not into suspending people without warning (unless they’re doing something like creating a new account after being suspended, in which case warnings are irrelevant). Ask around; there are other members on Blogit who have received warnings without being suspended.
You didn’t tell someone what he or she did wrong.
We always send email regarding a violation, identifying the relevant content and the problem. Always. People asked us to, so we do. The member is free to email us, and we do our best to explain things in more detail.
If there’s something more we can do, please let us know. Specifics are helpful.
I didn’t see anything the person wrote that was a violation.
You might not. For example, we’ve suspended people in the past for repeatedly spamming Blogit members via email. Although there’s nothing visible on the site, we’re not going to let them keep spamming.
If the relevant content was posted, the author or Blogit staff may have deleted the content.
I don’t think what the person did should be a violation.
In that case, please let us know how the Conduct Policy should be changed. We’re always looking for ways to improve it. That’s how the Conduct Policy came about in the first place – through questions and suggestions from people on Blogit.
I don’t agree with your decision to suspend someone.
We’re sorry you feel that way; we’re not happy about having to either. Suspending someone is typically about protecting others from that person, whether they’re passing others’ work off as their own or being abusive to others or anything else.
Obviously, we hate to suspend members, so we’re not going to suspend someone unless we’re forced to because of their actions. We typically try to use a “three strikes and you’re out” approach, so they get plenty of warning.
Some (or many) people don’t agree with your decision, so you should reverse it.
Sometimes, a decision is popular; sometimes, it’s not. All that matters are the facts and the process, not whether or not the decision will be popular. That’s how it should be.
You can read the policies and the process we follow for reviewing possible violations. Have suggestions for changing them? Please tell us.
How do I keep from accidentally violating a Blogit policy?
In general, it’s pretty simple: play nice. If you want details, here’s a link to all of the policies. Keep in mind that the people who are concerned about violating policy are usually the ones who never do.
Do you monitor all of the posts and comments?
No, this is not a moderated site. We might provide ways for people to act as moderators in the future if people request that.
I think you should monitor all of the posts and comments.
There are a lot of posts and comments on Blogit, and we don’t currently have the resources to monitor all of them. Perhaps that will change in the future, but it’s not the case right now.
I read something that violates a Blogit policy. Should I let you know?
Yes, please. Here’s how to contact us.
Since one person was suspended, I think someone else, who’s also violating Blogit policy, should also be suspended.
Please contact us regarding this person. A link to a relevant post/comment would be helpful.
We don’t always get a report about each person who is violating Blogit policy. If you see something that should be reported, please let us know.
I reported someone and they weren’t suspended. Why not?
We may have made the decision to send them a warning, which is often the right thing to do. We don’t suspend someone unless there’s no other choice, e.g. if we’ve issued repeated warnings without effect.
If you feel like a member is repeating his or her past behavior, please let us know. If appropriate, we’ll take further action.
I don’t think Blogit is consistent in applying policy.
We’re sorry you feel that way. We do our best to be as consistent as possible, and always follow the review process described on the Policy Violations help page. Please keep in mind that although we try to be as objective as possible, you may not always agree with our decisions.
If you feel like a member is repeating his or her past behavior, please let us know. If appropriate, we’ll take further action.
Do suspended members receive a refund and any earnings that are due to them?
Yes. A refund is issued for the unused portion of the subscription, prorated on a monthly basis. And earnings are paid to them as outlined in the Withdrawing Earnings help page.
Do suspended members lose all their writing?
No. We recently put in place a system that allows us to send them their writing. In future, they will be able to save it themselves.
Blogit is not a backup system, so we recommend that all members back up their writing. While we have invested in making sure that the Blogit site keeps your writing safe, and that there are redundancies, there could be an unforeseen technical problem at our hosting company that might delete your writing. Please be safe rather than sorry.
Do you ever reinstate suspended members?
No. We have found from past experience that reinstated members continue their original behavior, so suspension doesn’t seem to help.
I’m a paying customer so I have a right to verbal abuse towards Blogit staff members, and it will make them take me seriously.
No. Remember, the Blogit team is made up of real people who are working hard to make Blogit better. Verbal abuse won’t help.
Thank you.
Blogit Team
www.blogit.com