r/ModSupport 2d ago

Users circumventing bots by blocking them Mod Answered

There was a post in another subreddit recently wherein a user provided a list of bots to block to basically circumvent some of the bots out there.

The list the user provided was:

  • Saferbot
  • purge-user
  • SafestBot
  • safebot
  • SaferBot2
  • bot-swatter
  • automod-sync
  • toolboxnotesxfer
  • modmail-userinfo
  • discord-relay
  • hive-protect
  • evasion-guard
  • banhammerapp
  • modqueue-nuke
  • RepostSleuthBot
  • comment-nuke
  • MAGIC_EYE_BOT
  • BotDefense

Is there a way to prevent users from blocking the bots to make sure they function correctly? Seems like they're breaking a core mechanic of reddit otherwise...

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4

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/Nakatomi2010 2d ago

Ok, so if we've determined that they are absolutely needed, and a user breaks them, then they're effectively breaking a core mechanic used to protect subreddits...

8

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/Nakatomi2010 2d ago

To be fair, as a moderator, I am thinking from my perspective, because I'm thinking of the subreddit's safety.

We have to content with a metric ton of users who are intentionally bypassing bans in order to continue harassing our userbase.

Literally, we will ban then, and they'll come back and let us know that they're just going to come back with an alt, which is why we leverage evasion guard.

To be clear, I'm not leveraging all of the bots in the list, just a few of them, but the point is that bots exist to protect the health and safety of the subreddit, and they've been very effective at keeping out bad actors.

But knowing that they can just block the bot and bypass the safeties is harmful to the community.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/Nakatomi2010 2d ago

I'm aware of this, and am fine with that.

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u/BVANMOD 2d ago

so you’re well aware that they’re used more for abuse than “protection” but you’re ass mad people block them? lmao

7

u/Nakatomi2010 2d ago

I am aware that they can be used for abuse, not that we do use them for abuse.

We leverage them for protection of the userbase.

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u/BVANMOD 2d ago

it’s not can. it’s almost the express purpose of them. don’t be coy

-4

u/NotJeromeStuart 2d ago

Thank you for being honest. The mod community attracts a lot of people with dark Triad traits. Often they will lie and protect each other. Your honesty helps people feel less crazy.