this post was submitted on 09 Apr 2025
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Fedigrow

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Is it a PTB move ([email protected]) to ban a user if their only activity in a community is downvoting posts?

The behaviour baffles me a bit. If they dislike the majority of the posts in a community, why are they subscribed? Or if they are browsing by /all, why have they not blocked the community? Are they under the mistaken impression that Lemmy has an algorithm which uses downvotes as an indicator for "show me less of this"?

Has anyone else encountered a "serial downvoter" in any of their communities?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

If it's everything (in a community/profile) maybe, particularly if they don't have any contributions elsewhere. Or if it's actually something heartfelt/personal I can see being more touchy about it, less so with bot-like aggregation or reposting old content etc.

Because otherwise, it's not going to be obvious where the line is when you add in time and % of content. If you're using a bot/script to detect voting, you're likely going to ban users just for casual browsing (even if they could explain their votes). Especially as an instance ban purges a user's account (to users of that instance) as if they're on the same level as an SEO spammer. Does a voting disagreement mean the rest of their account is invalid?

I don't know if it's fedi incompatibility or just 0-transparency moderation, but dubvee might be doing this but it's unclear as they seem to be just handing out silent bans (no ban reason stated).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

If their only contribution is downvotes, then it's not really a PTB IMO and should be done.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago (4 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

While lemmy is still small I think its worth asking them what's up. Is there a timeout/suspension function? Suspend their account for 30 days.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (3 children)

I dont think Lemmy has a timeout function. Would be great though

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

Have you tried messaging them?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (5 children)

How do you see who is up and down dooting posts?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (2 children)

You don't seem to be a mod 😅

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Solid observation hahaha all my communities were created from my account where the instance shut down so I lost them

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago

Sorry to hear!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Wait, can mods see who voted on posts? I thought only admins could!

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

Yep, they get banned. End of story. Though I'd be willing to unban them if they appealed and explained their behavior. Or if there was a mistake on my end, obviously

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

It’s not considered powertripping as that is a form of vote manipulation.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

If it's only downvotes, then a ban is justified.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 4 days ago

If they only downvote everything, I think they deserve a ban.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I'd say just ban them. Doesn't look like a healthy relationship for either side. Worst thing that can happen is they complain and you get to know the reason for their behaviour... And if they're under the impression it will get rid of the posts, banning them will accomplish that, so win-win.

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