Another update and possibly a solution for some case where posts were not properly deleted. Seems I jumped the gun on this and the restores haven’t been intentional - at least not in this particular case.
There is a limitation in the popular Powerdelete that apparently prevents mass editing. Here is a link to a new version with a build-in delay and some other alternatives:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/145fico/comment/jnl4xmr/
There are other reported cases where manually deleted post reappeared or other scripts have been used, so this doesn’t solve all issues but explains how posts that were both edited and deleted withPowerdelete weren’t properly deleted and reappeared after subs went back live.
Update: As some have pointed out: the restores can be rollbacks from the server issues or post haven’t been properly deleted due to subs being private during blackouts. Many have experienced the same issue, I can’t explain how this happens. I’ll just run the script again, try the GDPR request and delete my account.
Also worth noting: according to the ToS Reddit can actually do whatever they want with existing content, apparently we agreed to this when signing up.
This could be worse than anything else they’ve done. If they claim they own the data, are they then not responsible for it like newspapers? Is it in their terms and conditions they are free to do whatever with posted information, do they have the rights to edit users comments but in doing so become a content provider and therefore responsible. Kicking mods out doesn’t land you in court this seems high risk to be manipulating content. Doesn’t matter why it was deleted or edited it was deleted or edited who gets to decide what version to restore. Either you are hands off or you own the data and are responsible for it and upheld to media standards.
Edit: found a snippit of the terms and conditions in a German GDPR thread, It appears it is their terms and conditions that after you post it they can do with it what they like, even adapt it. Either way that’s not a reason to be gone.
Holy damn. I deleted all my comments and my account ~a week ago. I don’t even know how to check if they restored something. 😠
Has anyone tried phoning a GDPR focused lawyer firm? I just did a google and they offer a “free consultation” I would like to get the facts 100% before raising my pitchfork.
That’s beyond fucked up.
But also very predictable.
I think it’s safe to say this fiasco isn’t going anywhere without a class action lawsuit or something.
There is EU and GDRP which reddit have to comply with.
Reddit CEO is a moron thinking they can avoid getting slapped with a fine.
Perhaps delete and replace the comment with text that explicitly claims copyright on the deleted message and denies Reddit a license to use the deleted content? It would be good to get a legal eagle willing to look at the Reddit user agreement and content licensing and see if there is a legally literate way of denying them use deleted content once it has been submitted.
If you’re in the EU, submit a request to have it purged. If they refuse, that’s a violation of the GDPR.
Quick and dirty Google search says GDPR law is complicated when it comes to backups https://www.itgovernance.eu/blog/en/the-gdpr-how-the-right-to-be-forgotten-affects-backups-2
Even if having backups of the data is legal, it seems highly doubtful that restoring data that a user intentionally deleted would be allowed.
There’s certainly no chance this will backfire…
Just wait a bit then delete your data. They can’t keep an eye on it forever.
They really want to fuck around GDPR? Are they really Musk level morons?
So, so, so glad I deleted my entire account. This is so unethical.
As I understand it (and I may not!) deleting your account leaves all your comments in place, but without your username.
It makes me wonder if they would restore wiped comments from accounts that have been deleted?
I’m sorry to say this but, they probably restored all of your posts too. It will just say “deleted” as your username but the posts and comments will be in their old place.
Earlier this week I deleted all of my comments except for some in a private sub. I just checked and all the posts I deleted are back 🤬
Same
wow I just checked and all my deleted comments are restored (used the power delete suite)
jokes on them, I’m petty enough to sit here and manually delete everything
Thats messed up! fuck spez!
That is such a shitty move. Forcing subreddits to go back up is one thing, but as a european this feels very wrong from a data ownership standpoint and I’m not sure it’s ok in the GDPR rules?
I think we should actively keep track of Reddit restoring user’s content without people’s permission. Screenshots, timestamps, everything. Monitor it all.
Maybe if Reddit go ahead with their API change whilst treating their users like such disposable crap, we could reach out to the EU to inform them of Reddit’s GDPR breaches. Maybe that’d lead to their new revenue from API charges disappearing into hefty EU fines.
Update: Maybe there’s going to be some loophole about actually having to use the data deletion request via Reddit’s UI for there to be an actually GDPR breach though thinking about it. Going to ask around some Law friends for advise
That link is just too request the bulk of your data. It’s not a form to request deletion of all your data. Technically you could request that, but if they deny out ignore that, then there’s not a whole lot you can do unless you’re ready to take it to court.
If you’re in the EU, report it to the Data Protection Authority in your country. They must provide you with a copy of your data and also purge it upon request.
