Is Quora Actually Fair in Implementing Their BNBR Policy?

Disclaimer: This article may offend some readers. Let's dive right into it with a question to ponder:

This image, sometimes mistakenly associated with the BNBR (Be Nice Before Reporting) policy, might not necessarily be the issue.

The BNBR Policy: A Double-Edged Sword

It's important to note that Quora tries its best to manage content within the limitations of its resources. However, a significant portion of content moderation is based on community enforcement. This sometimes leads to situations where content that technically violates the policy is still allowed, and content that doesn't necessarily violate the policy gets flagged.

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Many users, like myself, have faced challenges with the BNBR policy. For instance, after asking a question that was completely acceptable according to the guidelines, it was changed and reported as a BNBR violation. The issue was that the original question wasn't meant to be disrespectful, and the name used to reference an organization was perfectly acceptable.

Another issue arose when a group of users, possibly including a member of a certain community, engaged in misleading or unfair practices. They reportedly searched for related content, either changing it or reporting it, even creating fake accounts to mix up the process. Eventually, the fake accounts and the individual responsible for these actions were banned.

Controversies and Personal Experiences

Personal Experience 1: I had an experience where I asked a question, and although it was initially accepted, it was later changed by someone who believed it didn't align with their personal beliefs. The change was then reported as a BNBR violation, even though my intent was not to be disrespectful, and the name I used was acceptable.

Personal Experience 2: I was BNBRd twice. In the first instance, despite winning my appeal, my question is still collapsed. The second BNBR came from quoting a popular quotation without naming the sources. While the media can quote verbatim, the same quotation on Quora resulted in a BNBR report.

Subjectivity and Community Dynamics

The application of the BNBR policy often seems highly subjective and reliant on the individual reporting. It can be likened to the game where someone says "Boo" and the community must respond with "How high?", providing a high degree of variability in how content is managed.

Calls for Transparency and Fairness

Given these instances, it raises questions about the fairness and consistency of Quora's moderation practices. Users, including myself, have won their appeals, yet the policy's complexity and subjectivity continue to cause frustration.

Some have called for more transparency in the moderation process, including clearer guidelines and criteria for when a post should be reported and the process for addressing appeals. Transparency can help build trust and ensure that the policy is applied fairly and consistently.

Ultimately, the BNBR policy serves a purpose to maintain a respectful and welcoming environment, but its implementation can be a source of contention and frustration for users. As Quora continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how they handle these challenges and whether they can improve the fairness and consistency of their content management practices.