My Reddit moderator friend told me to just post a disclaimer before quoting a controversial news article. I did it and got banned from a history subreddit within 2 hours.

He swore a simple disclaimer would protect me under fair use rules, but the automod flagged it as "concern trolling" and I couldn't even appeal. Has anyone else had a moderator give them advice that backfired this badly?

3 comments

3 Comments

caseys302mo agoMost Upvoted

So you took legal advice from a Reddit mod and are shocked it backfired? I mean, how many times have we seen mods act like they know the rules when half the time they're just making it up as they go. Maybe next time try a good old fashioned "this is just my opinion" instead of trusting someone who probably bans people for using the wrong font.

the_charles2mo ago

yeah "makes it up as they go" pretty much sums up my whole experience with that sub honestly

evan_dixon671mo ago

Eighteen different font violations in one week? I swear some mods just sit around waiting to flex that little bit of power they have. It's wild how they'll hand out "legal advice" like they're passing out candy on Halloween but then turn around and ban someone for using Comic Sans. I really thought we all learned back in 2015 that Reddit mods are not lawyers, but I guess that lesson needs repeating. Next time just ask Google or a cardboard box, honestly that'd probably give you better guidance.