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So, after the latest spambot post I got to thinking. Could it be implemented that if one uses the "Yes I am reporting a spambot" function, it erases the posts that said user has made within the last, say, 6 hours (assuming here that a spambot is going to be detected by a member, at the very least, within 6 hours) and empties their profile?

This is because even after reporting a spambot and removing their ability to post, the post with the (possibly virus-laden) URLs and their profile may also contain (possibly virus-laden) URLs to whatever they're peddling. It'd be nice to be able to just send them straight into spambot hell.

That's a very good idea. It is certainly possible. In fact, I'll make it so that it'll close the topic immediately upon the reporting and the said topic moved to recirculation. I am not sure about emptying all posts though. It's very possible that it can be abused given such power to regular members. Of course, this can be adjusted to fit our needs.

Good feedback as always, Donz0rz!

I thought about the abuse thing, but then I tested it out on a regular user--that is, initiated a Report on a random post by ShuckleBug--and sure enough, the option wasn't there. I could see it being abused on a new member, perhaps...but is a new member going to join up and post a random URL in their very first? And if so, how often would such a thing happen compared to a legitimate spambot? And with that number in mind, how often would a member willfully mistake a legitimate new member for an obvious spambot?

However, as you said, best to do small things at a time and see how they work. The 'spambot report' function has done very well since it was implemented, I just think it's time to take it to the new level.

It would be interesting, however, to know just how many false reports have been filed since you started the program. I actually don't know, so that's where the staff will have to jump in.

I would make the option to delete the posts only for users having, say, 2000 posts and being a member for over 3 years. Being a mod or admin (duh) overrides that check. Because pressing a button to automate stuff could be awesome. It could make cleaning Spambot posts fun to do

Also, I would backlog said posts and who did it just in case it's abused.

The question of abuse does not really concern "mistaken identity" as much as "forum asshole syndrome". Maybe some rogue member has it in for a newbie and wants to "wipe them out", so to speak.

In the time I have been a moderator, I have not noticed any false spambot reports. I would say I have personally dealt with and/or seen over a dozen instances.

But as I said, that does not do anything to stop a 2000+ post member from abusing the feature to snuff out a newbie they don't like. I know it isn't a particularly likely scenario, but the possibility is there, and such a loophole in our policy isn't exactly a good thing.

The proposed "report-and-they're-deleted" idea would work in this case. If there's a way to make this happen, I would go with this idea!