My open letter to Ched on staff abuse.

I'm a little shocked that you believe accusations that are not being backed up with proof, especially if they come from a person like Champion. Really, I thought you of all people would of had higher standards.

There's been multiple cases, I for one was once leaked several warnings and their contents of certain people, which I should have no way of knowing.

I proceeded to give the staffer in question a fairly big review (with all the details of said warnings) and was given a warning for bullying said staff member in return.



It's been going like that for so long now, it's hardly a surprise. I won't name any names though as this is in the past now, plus I have had no problems since.

I have a better thought.

Ban AOW_Douchebag, Marlon, Chumpion, Luvlypink, and Sharpmid for constant excessive flaming and personal attacks on a person's character and integrity without proof and for being straight asshats.

If it is incorrect information then sure ban Champion from forums (and probably short fed sentence) but if it is true that a staff member goes through people's chats / mails for leisure or own game advantage then that is quite an issue.

EDIT: You'll notice I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that this is a legitimate claim. A benefit you hardly deserve, because this is a very serious issue. If this is an attention thread, see the Deformation Act.

Hmm, not sure why you with held this information as long as you did, but thank you for sharing.

Just another thing to add to this game's mismanagement. Would be a fed if Ched took player privacy seriously. Though he doesn't actually.

I just re-read this site's privacy policy. Which covers the absolute bare minimum of user rights. I'm not sure it even quite covers the minimum according the the UK Data Collection Act. What Ched's privacy policy does do is clearly outline his ability to sell or give our personal information to third parties unless we expressly request this not to happen. I suggest everyone email webmaster@torn.com and make this request.

That being said, how can we trust that Chedburn Networks will follow through in protecting our data rights after an abuse like this not getting so much as a slap on the wrist?

Some relevant points from the UK Data Collection Act:

Everyone responsible for using data has to follow strict rules called data protection principles. They must make sure the information is:

- used fairly and lawfully
- used for limited, specifically stated purposes
- used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive

- kept safe and secure



According to Chedburn Networks Privacy Policy and UK law, I would say a situation in which a representative of Chedburn Networks uses information collection tools to spy on user to user conversations for personal interests in itself is unlawful. Certainly morally and ethically wrong, but also seems to be unlawful.

Further to that, then using this information to "be abusive" towards an individual would take on a whole other legal issue. I'm not sure to the extent of this abuse, but in the event the affected feel their rights were violated through means of harassment or bullying, according to UK Law it would be Stretch who is liable, and being in a position of "power" over the other person (accessing their personal information) would make things worse for him if it went to any kind of court.

I'm not saying this situation necessarily requires such extreme measures. That would be up to thr parties affected.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
UK LAW

There is no legal definition of cyberbullying within UK law. However there are a number of existing laws that can be applied to cases of cyberbullying and online harassment, namely:

- Protection from Harassment Act 1997
- Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
- Malicious Communications Act 1988
- Communications Act 2003
- Breach of the Peace (Scotland)
- Defamation Act 2013



In this case Protection from Harassment Act 1997 is most relevant, and depending on what exactly Stretch said, could hold weight.

For others that feel the need to incessantly harass / bully on Torn, you should make yourself well aquainted with the above Acts. And should you think you are protected behind your game name, Chedburn Networks would have a legal obligation to comply with authorities in giving your personal information in the event of an investigation. Many other websites operate under US / Stste Laws, in which cyberbullying is even more defined.



Or you know, people can use common sense and decency towards each other.

I actually asked for proof, at the first page of this thread, and I'm still waiting to receive any. Not that it matters, as I'm not important, but till I see some actual proof that proves this story is true, I choose to believe that it is just false accusations created by a person who wants some more attention.

I'm a little shocked this thread is still going with no comment from Ched or Stretch.

Can't compare previous cases with a new one, just doesn't work like that. Just because Trish is an alcoholic and made bad decisions being a drunk a fool, doesn't mean all staff are alcoholics.

Person in question is still on staff, this happened this year, not back in Trish's days. Regardless I was not comparing this to that, I was giving you an idea why people are actually believing these accusations.

Interesting topic, but a few things aren't clear to me...

Where in his reply does Ched confirm there is abuse? The way I read this, he says that IF there has been power abuse, it would be easy to spot.

In his response, Ched seems to say that Stretch read the logs as part of his job in processing a player report. So far, it would appear to be a legitimate action (unless, of course, Stretch was dealing with a report against himself, that's a no-no). Using the information obtained that way is also a huge no-no. On the other hand, would it be possible to NOT be aware of the information when playing the game...? Tricky issue.

Nova made a report on something unrelated and stretch saw it as an opportunity to look into his chats

*Staff Edit*

Extreme Flaming.

No, I absolutely agree that unpaid staff shouldn't be so easily able to nose around without red flags popping up. They certainly shouldn't remain staff, committee, or even a member of the game after doing so. My response was more directed to people upset that it's accessible as a general rule.

One would assume they sign NDAs specifically saying they wont do this. Or one would hope.

That said, I see no proof of these allegations. If they are false, the OP deserves a ban for them IMO.

Agreed. I will take a ban if stretch did no wrong.

Pretty shitty how people are having group mentality here. Staff/Committee abuse should be seen objectively. If this case is infact true, thats a very big issue. No staff should be breaching privacy for personal gains

Or dick pics.

If these accusations are true, which are looking more and more like it, then Stretch deserves AT THE VERY LEAST 1 year fed. Should be deleted for such an awful breach of the position in trust he has. Bogie is 100% correct. This is scary that staff members are able to get with with anything and face no consequences - unless your name is Midknight.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Cheating is rampant among staff and committee members. It always has been, and it's always been known. It's also been known that nothing is ever done about it.

If these accusations are baseless, then Champion should be forum banned for a year.

Where is the ****ing line?

This is ridiculous.

This seems to be an issue that people have strong feelings about, and I'd like to keep it open for people to discuss, but in order for that to happen it needs to stay on point.

No flaming, name calling, derailing or anything else should be taking place.