Delete function for Direct Messages (Online Safety Act)

[Alpha1]

Please add a delete function for direct messages: for the entire conversation and for individual messages.

XenForo does not allow for deletion of direct messages. I believe this is mandatory in both the Online Safety Act as well as the EU Digital Services Act. These Acts also require a deletion reason, so that users know why their content is being deleted.

That means platforms now have to start implementing appropriate measures to remove illegal material quickly when they become aware of it

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/enforcing-the-online-safety-act-platforms-must-start-tackling-illegal-material-from-today#F2

As a result, many websites have just turned off Direct Messages completely. This allows websites to stay in compliance with the law.
It would be better if XF would offer tools to keep direct messages in compliance with the law.

Additionally it would be very useful if this functionality is added to XenForo.

 

[fords8]

So, would you want the starter to be able to delete? Or anyone that is involved with the DM? Give more detail please.

 

[zappaDPJ]

So, would you want the starter to be able to delete? Or anyone that is involved with the DM? Give more detail please.

I don't believe that would satisfy all the legal requirements as it is ultimately the site owner who is responsible for removing material judged to be illegal. Ideally such material (private messages) should be reported by the member leaving the owner or their representatives to gauge legality and have the tools to view and delete the content if appropriate.

While I'm generally against private messaging being made easily readable even to site owners, current legislation seems to make it a mandatory requirement along with the ability to deal with it effectively.

As a result, many websites have just turned off Direct Messages completely.

This is currently how I dealt with it on most of the sites I'm involved with.

 

[fords8]

I don't believe that would satisfy all the legal requirements as it is ultimately the site owner who is responsible for removing material judged to be illegal. Ideally such material (private messages) should be reported by the member leaving the owner or their representatives to gauge legality and have the tools to view and delete the content if appropriate.

This is why I asked for more details. I want to know how one would go about doing this. Those two I gave were just two ways it could happen. Or could be a part of the way it happens. You could add in site owners could look at DMs and delete if need be. I am sure other ways could be a part of it too.

EDIT: Could use an addon like this: https://xenforo.com/community/resou...s-when-specific-phrases-are-sent-in-dms.6715/ Create a database of word phrases that are considered inappropriate or illegal.

 

[zappaDPJ]

This is why I asked for more details. I want to know how one would go about doing this. Those two I gave were just two ways it could happen. Or could be a part of the way it happens. You could add in site owners could look at DMs and delete if need be. I am sure other ways could be a part of it too.

EDIT: Could use an addon like this: https://xenforo.com/community/resou...s-when-specific-phrases-are-sent-in-dms.6715/ Create a database of word phrases that are considered inappropriate or illegal.

It was a fair question

 

[Alpha1]

Because XenForo does not have a deletion function for conversation and conversation messages, its a little complex to approach with addons. Hence this suggestion.

There are 3 ways how illegal Direct Messages come to the attention of staff:

1. A member reports it.
2. A members shows suspect behavior that prompts staff to inspect Direct Messages.
3. The message contains inappropriate / illegal terms and an addon sends the message to the moderation queue.

In the first and second case, there is no way for staff to delete a conversation message nor the whole conversation.

In the third case, I use a combination of @Xon 's Conversation Essentials, Conversation Sharing and @Stuart Wright 's Conversation Monitor. These are very useful addons.
Functionality was recently added to these 3 addons to make it possible to delete direct messages that show up in the moderation queue.
However, this does not affect the first and second case.

 

[Rene_V]

I have developed an add on that will list all users direct messages on both, Admin panel and front end and admins can delete individual messages should they choose to do so. Personally I think this adds another method to fight against inappropriate or illegal stuff through the direct message system.

Resource icon R

Direct messages log

Jan 3, 2026

Logs and displays all users direct messages.

• Rene_V
• Add-ons [2.x]