Changes to Support and Policy & Abuse Responsibilities

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2021-09-13 16:35:11 UTC

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Spotlight on Support

In order to better balance the workloads of our Support and Policy & Abuse committees, we are making some changes to who is responsible for which kinds of requests.

Policy & Abuse will continue to address Terms of Service violations, and Support will continue to answer questions on how to use the site and address bug reports, as always. But there are some cases which Policy & Abuse have previously been handling, and which will now be handled by Support. These are:

Loss of access to an account (for example, if you no longer remember or have access to the email address you used to set up your account in order to receive a password reset)
Questions and problems concerning orphaned works
Works labeled with an incorrect language

If you need to report one of these issues, please contact Support. If you direct a report of any kind to the wrong department, it's okay! We'll either transfer the report directly, or ask you to resubmit it to the correct team.

We hope these changes will be helpful by allowing our Policy & Abuse team members to devote more of their time and energy to other issues!

The Organization for Transformative Works is the non-profit parent organization of multiple projects including Archive of Our Own, Fanlore, Open Doors, Transformative Works and Cultures, and OTW Legal Advocacy. We are a fan run, entirely donor-supported organization staffed by volunteers. Find out more about us on our website.

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LaikaFlash Mon 13 Sep 2021 11:13PM UTC

Huh. I didn't know the issue of lost access to accounts even was handled by the Policy & Abuse team until now. Why was it like that earlier?

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1. AO3_Support (Official) Tue 14 Sep 2021 02:59AM UTC
  
  Hi, LaikaFlash:
  PAC tended to handle specific issues with the TOS, including account control. When purviews were decided back in the beginning, it was decided for PAC to handle it because they were less busy than Support. Times have changed, and while we're not bored by any means, we're less not-bored than PAC is!
  Best,
  CJ
  
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2. 1. LaikaFlash Tue 14 Sep 2021 03:14AM UTC
    
    Ah... I figured it had to do with busyness levels at the time. It sounded counterintuitive at first, but that makes sense. I was thinking along the lines of lost passwords and such there.
    Keep up the good work. :)
    
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Qem Mon 13 Sep 2021 11:32PM UTC

Thank you for all the work that you guys do! &heart;

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1. JKFic Tue 14 Sep 2021 10:26PM UTC
  
  Agreed, thanks for your hard work keeping this place running.
  
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aethel Tue 14 Sep 2021 12:47AM UTC

Thanks for the update! To clarify, does this mean that a suspected terms of service violation in an orphaned work should be reported to Support?

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1. AO3_Support (Official) Tue 14 Sep 2021 03:10AM UTC
  
  Hi, aethel:
  Policy questions about orphaned works and questions about them (a pseud left on them, a tumblr link in the creator's notes) can come to Support. Actual ToS violations, such as targeted named harassment in the tags or plagiarism in the work, PAC would still like to receive those. Worst case scenario, we'll ask you to report it to PAC.
  Best,
  CJ
  
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melannen Tue 14 Sep 2021 05:01AM UTC

Hi, thanks for keeping us updated! If account control issues have moved to Support, does that include Next of Kin?

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1. AO3_Support (Official) Tue 14 Sep 2021 12:59PM UTC
  
  Hi, Melannen,
  For the time being, issues related to Next of Kin will remain with Policy & Abuse.
  Best,
  Aline
  
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2. 1. Eli0t Sat 18 Sep 2021 10:11AM UTC
    
    Is there a reason? What about Next of Kin requests isn’t related to account access?
    
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  2. 1. AO3_Support (Official) Sat 18 Sep 2021 01:13PM UTC
      
      Hi Eliot,
      The main goal of this change is to balance the workload between teams. At this time, PAC has chosen to retain the FNOK procedure. So, for now, support will be taking over the above tickets and we will reassess as needed.
      Best,
      Aline
      
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    2. 1. Eli0t Sat 18 Sep 2021 03:18PM UTC
        
        Lol I get that it’s a workload balancing. I was more asking that since FNOK and account access are pretty much the same things with a minor difference (one being your account, the other being taking over someone’s account with permission), why they were separated. My only thought was that maybe Support didn’t want them since they have the ability to be really sad if someone did have to take over an account, but figured I’d ask if there was a reason.
        
        Also, nice “seeing” you again Aline! How have you been?
        
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      2. AO3_Support (Official) Sat 18 Sep 2021 03:39PM UTC
        
        Hi! Great! *waves*
        And no specific reason from our side, it was PAC decision based on what would help alleviate their workload and had a low propensity to be become an actual abuse case.
        Aline
        
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        Eli0t Sat 18 Sep 2021 08:11PM UTC
        
        Ah okay. Figured I’d ask since it came up and seemed odd.
        
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hopeless_hunter Tue 14 Sep 2021 09:32AM UTC

Question, Why are people allowed to write sexual fanfictions of real non-concenting minors?
I.e Tubbo, Ranboo and Tommyinnit who have stated that don't like that kind of content.
Shouldn't there be a rule against sexualizing real people?

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1. TheVoid_A Tue 14 Sep 2021 09:44AM UTC
  
  Hello! I'd like to clarify that ao3 is an inclusive website, for well, everything, as long as it is transformative, meaning that it should have some sort of creativity towards the specific fandom, or whether it is an original work. Since "problematic" ships are generally transformative, reports like these will not be taken into consideration, as it follows the ToS. Nevertheless, this isn't a reason to go and harass these specific content creators.
  
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2. 1. hopeless_hunter Tue 14 Sep 2021 11:45AM UTC
    
    Yes, But Tommyinnit stated that he does not want stuff like that written about him, And your allowing people to de-humanize his choice to stand up to it. I don't care if its "inclusive" because its something tommy himself is against and does not want written about him, And having the option to say "No, I don't like that" taken away from him can be bad for his mental health.
    But you wouldn't care, Because you probably support the people who rape others and groom kids since you allow that kind of shit.
    
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  2. 1. TheVoid_A Tue 14 Sep 2021 11:55AM UTC
      
      Woah, woah, let's not jump to conclusions here. First of all, how do we know that he even reads this? And how can you assume that this is impactful to his mental health? He has obviously never heard of fanfiction like this until a donation, or someone in chat, or a comment specifically said, "Hey there's weird fanfiction written about you, go check it out." He has only expressed discomfort of this when he heard about it, meaning he had never read any of the sort. Second of all, no I don't support rapists and pedophiles. They are disgusting. Now, I'm not saying that this isnt wrong, or right in any way, I'm just saying that just because those writers write weirdchamp fanfiction about real people, they aren't automatically pedophiles or rapists or heck, even bad people. I simply answered your question of,"Why is this not being taken down?" and you decided to jump all over my clarifications. However, if you truly want to stop these 'rapists' and 'pedophiles', go out to the real world and do something about it. We are all entitled to our own opinions, but don't go around harassing people because of them.
      
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    2. 1. hopeless_hunter Tue 14 Sep 2021 12:17PM UTC
        
        YEs, But as a minor knowing the fact this site is allowing another minor in a job i wanna do be sexualized is horryfing. And the fact is; Tommy is a MINOR. Who just wants to make people happy with his videos, He does not deserve to be sexualized. Platonic things in fine with, A little bit of ramance? Thats fine, But Sexualizing him should not be allowed. As Simple as that.
        
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      2. TheVoid_A Tue 14 Sep 2021 12:26PM UTC
        
        Alright. Guess we're all entitled to our own opinions. Seriously, if you do want it taken down, go to ao3 and give a request. Don't go spreading around hate.
        
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        hopeless_hunter Tue 14 Sep 2021 12:28PM UTC
        
        How do i send a request? If i can ask-
        I onlt started using Ao3 not long ago..
        
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        TheVoid_A Tue 14 Sep 2021 12:30PM UTC
        
        Should be in the FAQ Guidelines.
        
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        hopeless_hunter Tue 14 Sep 2021 12:31PM UTC
        
        Alright.
        
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        amberquartz Tue 14 Sep 2021 04:03PM UTC
        
        Just so you know, AO3 was founded to not censor any form of transformative work, no matter what it contains or what it's about. You are using a site that specifically was made to preserve this kind of content you think shouldn't be allowed. I'm not saying I personally like this kind of content, just letting you know what you're getting yourself into on AO3!
        
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        In_Which_Magic_Is_Real Tue 14 Sep 2021 08:52PM UTC
        
        I understand your worries about the sexual content written about real people, and whether or not ao3 is in the wrong about allowing it on it's plateform. I also wanted to let you know that this particular issue has been and is currently being debated on nearly every plateform that host fan created content.
        Unfortunately, there is no simple answer.
        Some sites have decided that they won't allow any RPF, no matter if it's sexual or not. Some sites have decided that they won't allow any sexual content, no matter if it's RPF or fiction. Ao3 has decided that it is not up to them to police what users write, as long as it is appropriately tagged, simply because they feel it is not up to them to draw the line between what is acceptable and what is not. To take your own words as an example, you stated that platonic fics are fine, even those with a little bit or romance, but anything else is over the line, but what exactly is a little bit of romance for you? Is it the same as what I would think? The same as what Tommy would think? Is it the same as what the U.S law says? If we go with what Tommy says is what should be allowed, then do we have to ask them about every kind of fic, sexual or not? Do we have to ban every fic written about a real person until they publicly annonce what they are ok with being written about them? And the arguments for or against can go on and on without ever finding an answer that makes everyone happy.
        I do not want to confront you or make you change your mind. You are allowed to have your own opinions about this subject, and you are allowed to think that the position Ao3 has taken is wrong. But I encourage you to research what each platform for creative works has decided to do about this situation, and go with the one that fits your own decision the best. Ultimately, you can not change what Ao3 has decided, because changing these rules means changing the goal of the archive itself, which is allowing any transformative fiction as long as the basic guidelines are followed.The best thing you can do if you do not approve is to not use the Ao3, or to moderate your account so as to avoid the content that you do not approve of. If you want to know how to filter your searches, I will be more than pleased to guide you to the correct ressources to learn how to do so.
        
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  3. hopeless_hunter Tue 14 Sep 2021 11:48AM UTC
    
    Again, I repeat, Tommy himself has asked people NOT to make stuff like that. So your not respecting a MINORS choice of whats written about him. Witch makes you all just as horrible as the perverts that write them.
    
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  4. 1. TheVoid_A Tue 14 Sep 2021 11:56AM UTC
      
      I'm not defending these people, nor am I supporting them. I simply clarified your queries. Don't go jumping to conclusions, please.
      
      Last Edited Tue 14 Sep 2021 11:56AM UTC
      
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    2. TheVoid_A Tue 14 Sep 2021 12:01PM UTC
      
      ~~Also, because I'm a vindictive piece of shit, you made a typo. Witch to Which.~~
      
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    3. 1. JKFic Tue 14 Sep 2021 10:26PM UTC
        
        I approve of this correction.
        
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    4. OfMonstersAndWerewolves Tue 14 Sep 2021 08:33PM UTC
      
      Something I never seem to see mentioned is that the Dream smp fandom seems to skew quite young, which means in all honesty many of the folks writing and reading that content are going to be not only minors themselves, but probably even younger than he is.
      That doesn't mean you can't disagree with them, but your assumption that people writing them must be peodophiles is a little premature even if you think any adult writing it is wrong.
      
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    5. s0phi_a Tue 14 Sep 2021 11:08PM UTC
      
      Hey lovely, I understand Tommy said he doesn't want things written about him, but if it's such a big deal towards YOU then don't use ao3...lol simple (Jk unless). Just avoid fanfics with sexual content and smut and get mad at the CREATORS of those fanfictions, not ao3.
      :))
      
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3. whetherwoman Tue 14 Sep 2021 06:01PM UTC
  
  Key word is fanFICTION. It's about a fictionalized version of the person, clearly labeled as fiction. It's fine to not want to read it, and it's fine to say you morally disapprove, but no, there are no rules against it.
  There are rules against HARASSING other people. If an AO3 user is sending fiction to people without their consent, or making threats to do real things to real people, absolutely report that using the "Report Abuse" link at the bottom of every page.
  
  Last Edited Tue 14 Sep 2021 06:02PM UTC
  
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4. AO3_Policy_and_Abuse (Official) Tue 14 Sep 2021 11:29PM UTC
  
  Hi EnderBoii,
  We understand your concerns about RPF. However, our Terms of Service provide the limits on what people may post. The Archive's Terms of Service are designed to conform to U.S. law regarding, among other things, prohibitions on child pornography (i.e., images of real children). As such, the Terms of Service provide the following prohibitions: "Content may not be uploaded to OTW's servers if it contains or links to child pornography (images of real children) [...]. Uploading such content is a violation of the ToS." There is a distinction, however, between child pornography and written fiction depicting characters under the age of 18 engaging in sexual activity, which is legal to post and access in the United States.
  Additionally, per our Terms of Service, real-person fiction is allowed on the Archive.
  We also must advise you that attacking other users, as you have done in this comment section, may be considered harassment, which is a violation of our Terms of Service.
  Ran
  Policy & Abuse
  
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pickledragon Tue 14 Sep 2021 02:53PM UTC

thanks pac and support for all of your hard work! i hope this report shuffle makes things better on y'alls end <3

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1. Nightcandle Tue 14 Sep 2021 04:11PM UTC
  
  seconded! :)
  
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2. 1. TheVoid_A Wed 15 Sep 2021 01:38AM UTC
    
    Thirded!
    
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TheRedStreak33 Tue 14 Sep 2021 04:34PM UTC

Z,z z z

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quothhh Wed 15 Sep 2021 04:18AM UTC

These seem like sensible changes, I hope they help balance the workload for the ao3 team.
Thanks for the update!

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Phlebas Fri 17 Sep 2021 11:18PM UTC

Many thanks for the hard work that you do, and I appreciate the update!

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CaptainNaztyPantz Mon 20 Sep 2021 11:03AM UTC

This is awesome! Thank you for all the hard work 😁👍

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Amortentia426 Thu 23 Sep 2021 07:31PM UTC

Is there a preferred style guide for works posted on Archive of Our Own? I am going to help a friend with her grammar while she seeks a beta. I would prefer to start her with the guide she will continue to use. Thank you for your help.

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1. AO3_Support (Official) Sat 25 Sep 2021 12:42PM UTC
  
  Hi, Amortentia:
  We don't have one, no - we don't have any significant standards of writing quality to post on the Archive. As our Terms of Service states in I.E.3., You understand that using the Archive may expose you to material that is [...] grammatically incorrect, or badly spelled. (Cut for emphasis.) In point of fact, we currently have over 750,000 works not created in English and thus not subject to any English style guides. Having any sort of "standard" style guide would also potentially run counter to our principle of "Maximum Inclusiveness" for fanworks.
  Best,
  CJ
  Support
  
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