But can get canceled for what?..
I don't see how someone sending a PM can get your host canceled

I think jpt means their web host can cancel their account as the link to porn can be considered a breach of the host's terms that they won't host porn. No?

And we have a winner! Thanks for explaining, and the host has strict terms about stuff like that. The person was putting up a link that looked like it went to a craigslist for CB radio equipment, click it & instant PRON, You violate these terms and POOF, wake up domains are down,,files are lost, etc. It is not worth the chance, so i will read PM's if I feel the need. JPT.

u should try a host such as one in Holland.

even though u don't run a pRon site, at least that country will allow for leeway since message boards [for example] are considered freedom of speech as long as u don't actually host anything. wink wink.

Regardless if it's 'inappropriate,' administrator and/or mods shouldn't have rights to view other users PM's. If a PM's is inappropriate, than, it should be reported. That's why we have the 'forward' button for. :D

So if a pedo was grooming a 14 year old kid on your own board via PM and you were told by someone else that it might be happening, but there was no proof?

Would you simply ignore it?

Although not directed at me, I would contact the 14 Year Old myself and state that there had been apparent suspicions that you maybe getting inappropriate comments from another Member. If he/she denied it, then there is little else I could do, you offer the help but in the end if the other person won't accept it then there is nothing you can do.

I mean a Pedophile is going to be very rare indeed, so I mean using that to back up Personal Intrusion of numerous members is not acceptable. If you use this, I would make sure you respect your members enough to at least tell them that there Private Messages aren't Private.

Fair assessment, though I'm not convinced that the child would want to say anything as they may to far too afraid to.

The example is an extreme one used to show that there are always going to be circumstances where the owner of the board has to make a choice. I the end, ingorance is no defence if someone gets hurt and the board owner gets to bite the bullet for inaction.

It also goes to show that discussions like this are pretty much pointless, because of the vastly different backgrounds that each of us come from, and the vastly different community boards we have running. There will never be a definative yes or no, there can never be.

In the end it is the owners responsibility to protect the members, and him/herself in any manner they see fit. If that means reading a PM to protect someone, then it is their choice and their right.

I think that if PMs are moderated on a board, it should be made very clear that they are, either in the TOS that they accept when registered, privacy policy, or via an official post.

I've had my hosting shut off twice due to inappropriate/illegal content and no they don't offer refunds and yes you have make new accounts and move your server. It's a huge hassle.

In the past I've used this... https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=122939

Has a few more functions than the other hack and you can read your users PMs. I also use this to see how my board looks to my members.