Warning About a Sneaky Spamming Method in This Forum and How to Detect and Counter It

[libremax]

For several months now, we have observed this method in action, which primarily involves:

1. A single user regularly creating new threads, often with AI-generated content, using intriguing or provocative titles, all with the same subject or goal: to question the features of UT (Lomiri, Mir, Halium, etc.) and promote alternative projects (PostmarketOS, Mobian, mainline kernel, upstream development, etc.).
2. Replying to topics opened by other users that are completely unrelated by including a link to these propaganda topics.
3. Replying to one’s own posts to keep the propaganda at the top of the list.

Unfortunately, this deviant behavior is currently slipping past moderation (https://forums.ubports.com/topic/12116/moderation-issue-with-this-forum) .

Until forum moderation adapts to this type of behavior, the solution is:

1. Never reply to these topics or messages so as not to give them visibility
2. Report these topics and replies as problematic to moderation in the hope that they will address the issue

A tip for staying vigilant about these problematic topics and messages
If a topic, reply, or user has a negative (or even very negative) reputation, you should be wary and avoid replying until you’ve made sure it isn’t part of this type of spamming method (or an other type).

[domubpkm]

@libremax I end up wondering if AI isn't interfering with spam !

[gpatel-fr]

@libremax said:

Never reply to these topics or messages

this is the standard advice, don't feed the troll. Unfortunately, either there is an university for trolls or they are always reinventing the counter-measure, they are replying to themselves using another alias to fake a real discussion so there is a silver bullet for vampires but none for trolls

[libremax]

@gpatel-fr Yes, it's a standard advice but we do not respect it in the last months and mostly because people seems not to detect "troll".
It's why I suggested a method quick and easy to detect and counter it adapted to our forum functionality around reputation scores.

[libremax]

This post is deleted!

[oldbutndy]

@libremax said:

If a topic, reply, or user has a negative (or even very negative) reputation, you should be wary and avoid replying until you’ve made sure it isn’t part of this type of spamming method (or an other type).

I apologize.
I replied yesterday to a post that might have had negative reputation (I don't remember), because I did not think about trolls.
I just saw a few points made that resonated (I might have even upvoted it).
My post got long.
I tried to acknowledge a few good points, while considering the reality of UT developers doing the best they can on existing (mostly old) hardware.

[libremax]

@oldbutndy said:

I apologize.

No need to

I replied yesterday to a post that might have had negative reputation (I don't remember), because I did not think about trolls.

Unfortunately you were no the only one and it keeps going on today.

That's why I post this topic.
To try to mitigate this kind of "spam/troll" by warning about negative reputation.

[grenudi]

@libremax said:

to detect "troll".
It's why I suggested a method quick and easy to detect and counter it adapted to our forum functionality around reputation scores.

Before it were jews and how to spot them, and put a red band to them, now trolls. Dont forget people behind your own constructed labels on them, or its not far fetched when you conclude that "trolls" a basically not human and its ok to kill them, even admirable "clean the sociaty of those untermenchen".

Its ok to be hurt or offended, you can talk about it with someone you trust or just a perfect stranger, it gets easier and there is no need to hide or try to hurt someone in return. Its ok. You are fine.

[libremax]

@domubpkm said:

@libremax I end up wondering if AI isn't interfering with spam !

I don't know, but in any case, without moderation, the situation keeps getting worse to the point that I'm going to stop visiting the forum for a while.
Fortunately, on the UBports Telegram channels, such behavior isn't possible because it's immediately addressed.

[grenudi]

@libremax said:

I'm going to stop visiting the forum for a while.

Its allright. You also can ignore and not participate in discussions you dont like.
Clearly you are talking about me. And all that spam talk "be vigilant" is only from my precedence.
When ppl cross boundries, become offensive, they get muted or even banned.
There is already moderation, it its already works. I was muted, I know.

Just because the topic contains something you dont like, or you dont like the speaker for some personal reasons, does not mean that everyone now has to mark this as spam. Its allright, you can just ignore what you dislike, its ok.

I did some offensive remarks about community back in my first posts. Got negative rep from them and moderators @moem @arubislander were more than generous to let me talk it out before muting me. It was very helpful expirience that led to understanding that i can just walk by and its ok.

So anyway, @moem @arubislander (sorry i dont know any other moderators) if my current behavior is inappropriate for this forum, you can ban or mute me right now and end this despute. It's ok, I'll just walk by, according to my own advise
If our paths dont really align, its ok for me, no hard feelings

ps
@libremax dont take it all that serious. I have nothing against you. Life is alright as it is, dont waste your time angrying at me, or angry this all out and continue your adventure in this wonderland, dont waste too much time and efforts on "haters". Ubuntu touch works, android works, windows, linux, whatever, the world has not came off its axis, its all allright, you are valuable as you are, no need to confirm it, no need to defend it, its an established fact by your own existence, you have rights, you have a place in the world, you are needed, no need to fight for it, its all here, everything already the way it should be. It allright

[Lakotaubp]

@grenudi I think your reference point and association in this case is so far off the mark I find it hard to believe the comparison could even be made. I suggest you stop now and leave it well alone. It is offensive on so many levels and factually inaccurate do not repeat it.
Also I have no inclination to stop the discussion you started in your original post as some points are worth discussion. However we ask that repeating the same point across numerous threads is not done as confusing, distracting and frankly annoying.
Please if you wish refer back to the original post with a link in other threads if you must but stop starting new ones or repeating at length in others the same point. Thank you.

[grenudi]

@Lakotaubp i hear you