Preface: please do not be worried about getting banned. Unless you do something dramatically out of line (which is hard to do accidentally), you will never be banned without being warned at least once. Remember that we don't want to ban you, and especially if you've been around for some time, we will try to talk first.
Reasons we ban
We will ban instantly (and likely permanently) for the following reasons:
- Posting SEO spam (or acting in a way that makes us suspect spam).
- Using multiple accounts (or breaking some other rule listed here). In this case, we will ban the new accounts. We may also ban the person completely depending on what the accounts were used for (ex: ban evading, vote manipulation, pretending to be somebody else).
- Posting inappropriate content (ex: shocking, sexually explicit, unlawful).
- Threatening a person's privacy (ex: sharing somebody's personal info, threatening to share somebody's personal info, stalking).
- Bigotry (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc). This includes "joking" use of slurs.
- Bad username (ex: impersonation, inappropriate contents).
- Security issue, such as user's account becoming compromised. We will unban when we're sure the situation is back to normal.
We will ban for the following reasons if there is a recurring problem, or in especially bad circumstances:
- Bad attitude (ex: causing arguments, insulting people, sarcastic tone).
- Being continually resistant to constructive criticism or the viewpoint of other people.
- Constantly breaking basic rules or making low-quality posts. There is no problem with posting a duplicate question sometimes, but we will react to people who clearly aren't trying.
- Causing drama (ex: politics, gossip, bullying).
- Trolling (ex: joke posts, reaction baiting).
- Abusing privileges (ex: buddy voting, spam voting/flagging, vandalism).
- Mini-modding; please read rule 0.12.
The following factors will accelerate a ban if they apply.
- Being banned or warned previously.
- Lying.
- Being a new user. Established members can be given benefit of the doubt, but not 24-hour freshies.
- Immaturity. PokeBase is not (formally) a 13+ community, but if you aren't 13+, please try to present as though you are.
- Not communicating. If we can't solve the problem by talking it out, then we will simply ban the person.
Extra notes:
- We can block and unblock accounts at any time, so we can give temporary bans if we see fit. The process is fully manual.
- Mods can see and block IP addresses.
- If we somehow ascertain that a person is a problem user outside of PokeBase, then we may pre-emptively ban that person to keep our own community safe.
- If you disable your wall, you're also disabling our easiest means of contacting you should you ever end up in strife with us. If you have Discord, we may try that if you're seriously pushing the boundary.
What happens to banned users (incl. ban appeals)
Banned users can see PokeBase threads and access user pages, etc. However, they cannot make any kind of interaction with the platform itself. This includes non-posting actions like voting, editing, flagging, etc.
If we ban somebody with the intention to unban them, we will tell them what date they will be unbanned, likely on their wall. We will also leave wall posts for "permanently" banned users, but not if we think it will cause drama or gossip.
If you think you have a "permanent" ban (i.e., you haven't been told you'll be unbanned), then know that the usual communication channels with staff -- primarily Discord -- are still open to you. You are welcome to ask if we'll unban you, but be aware that reverting a "permanent" ban is not a decision we take lightly, especially if you were banned recently. If you believe you've changed since we banned you, then we will hear you out.
Please know the following:
- If you want to be unbanned, it is your responsibility to start the conversation with us. We do not maintain contact with banned users as part of our role. If you have an indefinite ban, we will not wake up one day and unban your account.
- If you evade your ban, then expect the new account to be banned as well, unless you have already talked to us. If you have a temporary ban, wait it out. If you have a permanent ban, clear your name with us first.
- Both of the above points apply to people who were banned a long time ago. We still may not want you here, at least not as we remember you. So contact us and clear your name. We will always be less sympathetic toward people who don't communicate.
We can't control and don't really care if PokeBase users continue to talk with banned users outside the platform. However, on the platform itself, please don't talk about banned users. Their situation should be discussed in private.
