I didn't know where else to post this and I'm not sure if the 'hide reported content' button is default checked or not as mine is unchecked. It is being alleged that people are abusing the Flag button in the gallery in order to hide content from potential downloaders so the flaggers creations can get ahead. Now, I did check the box and check my catalog to see how much of my stuff was reported and over half of my catalog dissappeared including my Maxis Fav - I can only conclude that it is being abused as obviously you have to give a reason why you are flagging something - it's not an accidental click. This is against the gallery TOS so what is being done about habitual flaggers for no reason? Why are things still marked as flagged when they've obviously checked out as okay? This is a problem that needs to be acknowledged and corrected.

@EA_David - Thank you for replying and confirming that it is not the default, thank goodness. Is it possible to implement a system where these flagged uploads could be marked as unflagged when they are found to be 'not guilty' and then not able to be flagged again? I have stuff from months ago that is still marked flagged - obviously my uploads are still seen by the vast majority, but I still don't like the thought of my stuff 'wearing the scarlet sim letter' permanently. Anyway, thank you for the speedy reply!

@ehaught58 - yeah, like I said I wouldn't even care, it's not the default setting - which would be a HUGE problem for MANY people - but, I don't like that my stuff is now permanently flagged - there's currently no system in place that unflags once it's found 'not guilty' . It's not about being 'popular', it's about being unfairly flagged and a bad system.

@kreatora Agreed -the system is pointless and leads to nothing but a bunch of finger pointing and gallery rumors, especially if they aren't even checking the flagged uploads.

I have also had about half of my EA favorited lots “reported” in the gallery (never mind the rest of my popular lots) that now do not show up in the gallery when I search for them. The most obvious one is “The White House” that has been missing for some time now.One thing I really don’t understand is why EA favorited lots are being allowed to be marked “reported” in the first place, when EA has already vetted the lot before favoring it? In this case, people are obviously using the Report button for reasons other than what it was meant to be used for.@schnuck01 I don’t think you need worry too much about it, you’re the top builder in the Gallery right now anyway, and this does not seem to be affecting your popularity. For me, I don’t worry about popularity anymore. I just want to play and have fun... it sure is a lot less stressful! 🙂

@schnuck01 That's a good suggestion, we'll add it to our feedback. I can't make any promises about potential future changes, but I think it's a good idea. Thanks again!

Hide Reported Content & Flag Abuse

18 Replies

Replies have been turned off for this discussion

EA_David
Community Admin
7 years ago
@schnuck01 Thank you for the post.

The check box you mention is off by default, content reported by others isn't hidden. I happened to be using a completely fresh account this morning, so it was a nice and convenient thing to check.

As for reporting/actioning potential spam-flaggers, sorry but we won't generally talk about any disciplinary actions for any of our products.

I understand that this is frustrating, but we do take abuse of our systems seriously.

In the meantime your best option is to keep the box unticked to see as much content as possible.

Thank you.
schnuck01
7 years ago
@EA_David - Thank you for replying and confirming that it is not the default, thank goodness. Is it possible to implement a system where these flagged uploads could be marked as unflagged when they are found to be 'not guilty' and then not able to be flagged again? I have stuff from months ago that is still marked flagged - obviously my uploads are still seen by the vast majority, but I still don't like the thought of my stuff 'wearing the scarlet sim letter' permanently.
Anyway, thank you for the speedy reply!
EA_David
Community Admin
7 years ago
@schnuck01 That's a good suggestion, we'll add it to our feedback. I can't make any promises about potential future changes, but I think it's a good idea.

Thanks again!
schnuck01
7 years ago
@EA_David - I just wanted to give you a picture of HOW BIG this problem is for MANY players.
Pic 1 First 3 rows of my catalog with 'hide reported content' CHECKED
Pic 2 First 3 rows of my catalog with it UNCHECKED - all the circled houses were flagged for no good reason...
COME ON NOW, that's just ridiculous.
kreatora
Hero (Retired)
7 years ago
Hi @schnuck01 🙂
Hidden content does not mean that it is hidden in the Gallery. Pradoks is that the flagged object is hidden but only for the person who gave him the flag.
Believe me, I checked it out with my friends from my forum,
That's why I do not care about these flags,
It is like in a proverb from my country The wolf is after a meal and the sheep is safe :D
Btw, Are these photos of your catalog?Because the invisible content of the parts of the catalog is another problem. This can be repaired
schnuck01
7 years ago
Hi @kreatora - I know it's visible to the vast majority since 'Hide reported content' is not the default and I really don't care, except now my stuff is flagged permanently for no reason - that's a bad flagging system and if these uploads don't get unflagged, are they even checked in the first place? Sounds like the flagging system is pointless and causing a bunch of false flags, rumors & speculation.
schnuck01
7 years ago
@kreatora - the circled houses have all been flagged as they dissappear from my catalog when I check the 'hide reported content' box.
kreatora
Hero (Retired)
7 years ago
No. I had a similar problem, it was damage to the connection between the folder in my game and the catalog in the Gallery. I had to eject the entire game folder to the desktop and let the game create a new one.
After this operation, the entire catalog was visible,
schnuck01
7 years ago
@kreatora - other players confirmed that if they check 'Hide reported content' they also can't see those builds. Give it try, view popular now lots and then check the 'Hide reported content box' and look at how much stuff in popular now dissappears. Those lots are all visible when the 'Hide reported content box' is not checked.
kreatora
Hero (Retired)
7 years ago
@schnuck 01
Well, I agree, and I really do not see much sense in continuing this system.
How can a building be harmful? I can understand that in the department of the family in the Gallery, there may be objects that are incorrect from the general point of view of morality. But houses?