As most TS visitors know, there is a "Messages" link on all the pages. It is actually referred to as a "PM" service. The "PM" standing for "Private
* Messaging." What this really means is that you designate who you want to send a message to and they are the only one who views it, thus, it is 'private' rather than something posted in a thread. And while it's never been used, as far as I know, the Admins and Moderators can access these messages stored in the archives of the board. That is not unusual considering that someone may send a message that may need the 'attention' of those trusted to maintain 'law and order' here.
But, as I said, I'm not aware that it has ever been done. First, because TS is such a friendly place, IMHO. And second, because your Admins and Moderators have plenty of other work to do. I'd hazard a guess that most of them (me included) don't even know how or where to look for those messages, much less have any desire to read them!
These honorable intentions, of course, have nothing to do with
Facebook and its ilk. They make money by having users
give them information. A
FB user/poster is the
product of
FB. A
FB user/poster is
NOT a customer. Therefore,
FB tends to search, gather, aggregate and sell anything and everything it can from all
FB users. And, it turns out, even from what it calls "Private Messages." And they've found a new way to use that info and snoop even a link you may include in anything you post, including "private" messages.
There are still many who think there is a "free" lunch. Users are not only giving away what
FB sells, you are paying to do it by losing ever more privacy.
*The 'P' in "PM" actually stands for Personal, not Private. Really a big difference!
