XF 2.3 Deleting a members 48,000 posts - how?

[Jon12345]

A member has become disgruntled and so wants all their posts deleted. How do I delete this large number of posts?

Regards,

Jon

 

[cdub]

A member has become disgruntled and so wants all their posts deleted. How do I delete this large number of posts?

Regards,

Jon

Spam cleaner. But deselect the banning options.

 

[zappaDPJ]

You should be able to use the spam cleaner to do it.

Personally I'd shy away from doing something so radical. 48,000 is an insane number of posts which will inevitably disrupt the flow of content if deleted.

A better option in my view would be to ask the member to identify any PII they have posted, remove it and then anonymize the account.

 

[Mr Lucky]

Personally I'd shy away from doing something so radical. 48,000 is an insane number of posts which will inevitably disrupt the flow of content if deleted.

I allowed this many years ago and I can confirm it had very bad consequences on many threads. There is no need to unless you changed the default terms giving members the right to have all their content removed.

Often people they have this right under GDPR or other regulations, they don’t.

 

[Digital Doctor]

so wants all their posts deleted.

remove the members name from all the posts, and have the post show up as posted by Deleted Member 24601

 

[JamesBrown]

Tell him to do one, the posts are as much yours, as his. Your terms should (hopefully) make that plain.

 

[Jon12345]

I've tried the spam cleaner but get an error. It removed all the threads started just fine, but when trying to remove posts it fails.

I already agreed with them that I would delete all their posts.

 

[Paul M]

I already agreed with them that I would delete all their posts.

Well that was a big mistake, just tell them you cant, the software wont do it.

 

[Jon12345]

She is a difficult person. She will start reporting me to Ofcom etc. if I don't delete the posts. I know she will.

 

[briansol]

it might be easier to run a manual query to make it hidden instead. spam cleaner is not designed for scale like that.

make a back up first, test on a dev site:

update `xf_post`
set message_state = 'moderated' where user_id = 12345

you can also use deleted instead of moderated if that's your desire. this would make it soft-deleted. mods can still the content, she can't.

may need to rebuild caches after.

 

[AndyB]

You can use this add-on:

https://xenforo.com/community/resources/delete-posts-by-username.8101/

 

[Jon12345]

Thanks @AndyB, I was looking at that plugin. I'm running the site on a shoestring which was why I was looking at a no cost solution, but you do have an excellent site that I signed up to once before.

 

[Mr Lucky]

She is a difficult person. She will start reporting me to Ofcom etc. if I don't delete the posts. I know she will.

She may well report you to Ofcome whether you delete the posts or not. Have you done anything wrong/illegal that might warrant that?

 

[MapleOne]

Requests to remove content cannot be facilitated due to the fact it may disrupt the natural flow of conversations and/or topics. Furthermore, requests to remove a profile/account can also not be facilitated for the aforementioned reason. We can however close your account upon request. Once closed your account will be marked as " Account Closed " and you will not be able to access the Direct Message system nor will the members be able to contact you. You will still have access to view but you will no longer have the ability to respond to topics or engage members in any way. You can request reactivation of your account anytime by emailing: admin

If you do not agree with these terms, please do not register or use the Service. Use of the Service constitutes acceptance of these terms. If you wish to close your account, please contact us, but keep in mind closing your account only restricts you from posting it does not change the content of your posts, you can decide to reactivate your account at any time.

These terms may be changed at any time and without notice.

I simply put the above in my terms, problem solved.

 

[zappaDPJ]

I'd argue some of the replies in this thread are a little misleading.

She will start reporting me to Ofcom etc. if I don't delete the posts.

Ofcom's primary function is to enforce the Online Safety Act so unless your site is in breach of that Act Ofcom would not act on any report.

The UK laws that are relevant to the situation described are GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 which are regulated by the Information Commissioner's Office.

I simply put the above in my terms, problem solved.

Those terms would not satisfy a request to remove a member's PII under GDPR. I would also add a copyright disclaimer containing a statement of ownership.