Instant Messaging on Discussion Boards
There are times when it is necessary to write in defense of the actions of the CARM ministry. Such necessity has arisen regarding the use of private/instant messages on the discussion boards.
In August, 2006 CARM installed a feature that allows the administrators to see the last 10 messages sent between any posters registered on the boards. This feature does not allow us to view anyone's inbox. In other words, the administrators are not able to enter anyone's inbox in order to audit messages. We don't have that ability. However, we are able to view the last 10 messages sent through the entire system. These last ten private/instant messages are viewable in the administration section. For clarification, if on any particular day 100 messages were sent by 100 people, we would be able to view only the last 10 messages of those 100. As soon as the 101st message is sent, we can still only view whatever last 10 messages were sent. So, at most we can only see 10 messages at a time.
Do we use this feature to audit private/instant messages? Not unless we suspect a problem. We have no desire to read the messages between 10,000 registered users - only occasionally are we in the administration area, and when we are we don't read through the messages. Nevertheless, perhaps once a week the forum administrators might check a snapshot of ten messages to see if there are any problems. So why is it installed? Security reasons.
The sole reason that this feature was installed was to be able to have access to the last 10 messages passed between individuals in the event that there was a problem on the board that might require monitoring. If it should arise, CARM would then go into the administration section and pursue viewing the messages. This effort would be used to ensure that the CARM discussion boards, and private/instant messages, were not used in an effort to undermine this Ministry. In addition, if illicit material and or improper links (i.e., child porn, illegal activity, etc.) were being sent from person to person via the private/instant message system, CARM could be held liable. This feature would enable us to discover such improper use should a suspicion ever arise and require its implementation.
This explains why the feature is installed, that it is used very infrequently, and that it is very limited in its scope.
Relating to the privacy of the forum participants, the ethics of this feature is at worst a gray area. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, CARM is required to ensure the safety of the posters and this ministry. In addition, CARM must attempt to make sure that the boards, including the private/instant messages are not used for illegal purposes. On the other hand, should CARM have the potential of viewing people's private/instant messages at all? If CARM does not retain the ability, then it opens itself up to legal problems and can be held responsible should the instant/private messages be used for illicit purposes. The options are to remove the private/instant message system entirely or let people know of the ability to view a snapshot of those messages. CARM has chosen the latter option.
Please understand that we have no desire to wade through the messages sent back and forth between more than 13,000 registered users (as of Jan. 2007). Such an undertaking would be a ridiculous effort. CARM has no desire to control people's thoughts or prohibit free discourse. Of course, the application of this message-viewing feature is at the discretion of the administration.
Having said all this, CARM will continue to use this feature to protect itself and others.
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