On the face of it, looks like a good idea. Would depend on being reasonably technically practicable. I would probably not opt in, but if I started to get annoying email, would like to be able to block it selectively.

Cheers,

Peter

 

From: Gendergap [mailto:gendergap-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of WereSpielChequers
Sent: Thursday, 09 February 2017 11:45 PM
To: Addressing gender equity and exploring ways to increase the participation of women within Wikimedia projects.
Subject: Re: [Gendergap] Craigslist founder donates $500K to curb Wikipedia trolls - Email filters?

 

Christophe, Carol and Fae's notes have set me thinking as to what we could do with these funds,

One of the areas that I understand has been a problem is email harassment, particularly of women and I believe particularly from throwaway accounts.

I was wondering what people on this list would think of some possible changes we could make to the "email this user" system.

The first would be to allow editors to set their email to only receive from confirmed or even extended confirmed accounts. This would be invisible to new editors, they'd just not see the email this user option for people they weren't entitled to email.

The second would be an opt in Email moderation service. Similarly to only receiving email from confirmed or extended confirmed accounts, this would enable editors to opt all or parts of their email via the "email this user" function into a moderated stream. Much as with moderated posts to lists like this, a list admin would see the email and either approve it or take other action. You'd presumably need to having something on the send email screen to say that "this editor has opted into email moderation and your email will be delayed slightly before being screened and forwarded" You'd also need a group of volunteers to do the moderation, spot abusive emails and block abusers.

The third would be an AI driven filter that people could opt into and which would screen emails going through this system and put high risk ones into a moderation queue.

 

What do people think, if this existed would it help, would anyone have used any of it?

WSC