https://www.reddit.com/r/announcements/comments/mcisdf/an_update_on_the_recent_issues_surrounding_a/
created by spez on 24/03/2021 at 22:37 UTC
107372 upvotes, 119 top-level comments (showing 25)
We would like to give you all an update on the recent issues that have transpired concerning a specific Reddit employee, as well as provide you with context into actions that we took to prevent doxxing and harassment.
As of today, the employee in question is no longer employed by Reddit. We built a relationship with her first as a mod and then through her contractor work on RPAN. We did not adequately vet her background before formally hiring her.
We’ve put significant effort into improving how we handle doxxing and harassment, and this employee was the subject of both. In this case, we over-indexed on protection, which had serious consequences in terms of enforcement actions.
Debate and criticism have always been and always will be central to conversation on Reddit—including discussion about public figures and Reddit itself—as long as they are not used as vehicles for harassment. Mentioning a public figure’s name should not get you banned.
We care deeply for Reddit and appreciate that you do too. We understand the anger and confusion about these issues and their bigger implications. The employee is no longer with Reddit, and we’ll be evolving a number of relevant internal policies.
We did not operate to our own standards here. We will do our best to do better for you.
Comment by [deleted] at 24/03/2021 at 22:55 UTC
4723 upvotes, 4 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by amMakerofComments at 24/03/2021 at 23:02 UTC
403 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Tomorrow: Reddit hires R. Kelly..., Reddit bans all mentions of R. Kelly... what a bunch of gestapo idiots running Reddit, tell Serena's husband to get back to work
Comment by TheLordJames at 24/03/2021 at 22:46 UTC
1644 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Why does that admin still have their admin badge?
Comment by ShouldHavePulledOut- at 24/03/2021 at 22:40 UTC
1897 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Damage control, nothing else.
Comment by BoringEntropist at 24/03/2021 at 22:46 UTC
1180 upvotes, 1 direct replies
And as always, reddit does something only after the issue gets bad press.
Comment by FormerlyPallas_ at 24/03/2021 at 22:53 UTC*
1147 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Hi /u/Spez,
What safeguards are you going to be putting in place to make sure this never happens again?
What are you going to do about the kid related subs that this particular admin modded or that people related to this admin modded, and what are you going to do to protect children who are on reddit?
When are admins going to do something about moderators being doxxed and threatened online as mentioned in the /r/modsupport comments on this issue?4
The article was removed and the submitter banned by the aforementioned rules.
As the mod in question, why if this is due to automated actions, would my ban only come several minutes after posting?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#It all escalated very quickly
Comment by NekoIzMase at 24/03/2021 at 22:58 UTC
3117 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Let me get this straight, you first say you didn't vet her properly, but then you say you have added extra protection to her account?
You had to be aware of her history if you decided to add extra protection for her...
You're just trying to save your face by saying you will do better next time but didn't mention one thing which you will improve. Guess we'll see the same message on your next fuckup lol
Comment by Nate2247 at 24/03/2021 at 22:49 UTC
7958 upvotes, 2 direct replies
So wait... you gave her special protections against doxxing nearly 2 weeks BEFORE the article was actually posted? What reason would you have to do that, unless you already suspected that her personal information would be shared?
Comment by [deleted] at 24/03/2021 at 22:52 UTC*
9285 upvotes, 6 direct replies
[removed]
Comment by potatohead1911 at 24/03/2021 at 22:47 UTC
10589 upvotes, 4 direct replies
Mentioning a public figure’s name should not get you banned.
Aimee Challenor.
Comment by [deleted] at 24/03/2021 at 22:45 UTC
4519 upvotes, 5 direct replies
the employee in question
She's not Voldemort, just say her fucking name, you cowards.
Comment by 500_Shames at 24/03/2021 at 22:43 UTC
1803 upvotes, 3 direct replies
Why were the extra protections in March 9th employed without any acknowledgement or review of their background? How did you know that they were being harassed or doxxed without knowing what this individual had done?
Comment by Pubby88 at 24/03/2021 at 22:49 UTC
2682 upvotes, 4 direct replies
In the interest of transparency, will you disclose:
1. Ms. Challenor's hire date?
2. Her job duties and title?
3. The impetus for instituting additional protections for this employee on March 9?
Comment by [deleted] at 24/03/2021 at 22:42 UTC*
3896 upvotes, 9 direct replies
[removed]
Comment by nk1297 at 24/03/2021 at 22:41 UTC
1855 upvotes, 2 direct replies
You didn’t adequately vet her background???? That is scarily incompetent
Comment by ThePootisPower at 24/03/2021 at 22:43 UTC
5381 upvotes, 4 direct replies
Hi, the employee is suspected to be complicit in the abuse of a minor.
Can they please be removed from moderator positions to safeguard the communities they currently moderate?
Comment by Aaco0638 at 24/03/2021 at 22:42 UTC
2067 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Hiring someone based on connections rather than doing research if they’re qualified or not for the job........... The cycle never stops lol.
Comment by [deleted] at 24/03/2021 at 23:13 UTC
324 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Do I get my account back? The 6+ year old one that was banned this morning for asking who she is? Because I’d like it back.
Comment by vocalfreesia at 24/03/2021 at 22:41 UTC*
1906 upvotes, 3 direct replies
How did you not even google her before employing her? The incompetence is pretty astounding.
Edit: And have you removed her and her husbands accounts, or at the very least Mod rights? It seems pretty clear they are looking for vulnerable LGBT child victims by the subs they are active in.
Comment by Meepster23 at 24/03/2021 at 22:41 UTC*
10022 upvotes, 6 direct replies
Comment by mounthollyisland at 24/03/2021 at 22:41 UTC
4180 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Meanwhile users get banned for literally doing nothing wrong lol
Comment by [deleted] at 24/03/2021 at 22:40 UTC
6771 upvotes, 3 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by Babyback-the-Butcher at 24/03/2021 at 22:43 UTC*
5484 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Why are people thanking Reddit? This is their fault for not running a proper background check on her before hiring her. Should we really be thanking Reddit for fixing something that shouldn’t have gone wrong in the first place?
Edit: Not to mention how they tried to cover her tracks to avoid embarrassment, and only did something significant when hiding her tracks wasn’t an option anymore. And I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt by saying they might not have known what kind of monster she is until after they hired her.
Shameful. Just shameful.
Edit 2: Why are people still giving them awards? You’re only letting them know that they can get away with this shit. Quit it.
Comment by [deleted] at 24/03/2021 at 23:01 UTC
430 upvotes, 2 direct replies
What a laughable response.
To paraphrase, we underestimated the backlash we would receive and apologize for that.
Comment by PoggersWizard at 24/03/2021 at 22:42 UTC*
8911 upvotes, 5 direct replies
Only when the Streisand effect took place did you choose to take action, since you knew you would only dig yourselves a deeper hole. Don't act like you didn't know or even cared in the first place.
