PostSecret Pulls iOS App Over Abusive Submissions

People are stupid.

Wow. That's despicable how people abuse things like that to post inappropriate and threatening things, which obviously, ruined it for the majority of people. :mad:

Why not just remove the submission part of the app?

Congratulations to the Internet for (repeatedly) reaffirming how horrifying human beings can be when given freedom from even basic consequences.

The idea of a 'managed' yet 'anonymous' forum on iOS is an expired pipe dream. Just look at the App Store Review system with it's nicknames rather than true Usernames or genuine emails, it's chock full of BS from all sides to the point of being a total joke.

Really hate to say this, but FaceBook has it right, be who you are. Say what you want and stand behind it.

If you don't want anyone to know what you're saying, or if what you're saying if a lie, violent, or breaking the law, perhaps you should shut up.

Agreed, up to a point; anonymity puts people on their worst behavior. Just look at online dating and drivers on the road! But Facebook’s (and Google’s) path is equally a pipe dream: you need anonymity if you’re speaking about those with power over you. Your boss, your government when corrupt (and there will always be instances where it is), anyone with enough money to make you suffer, anyone who wants to cover something up enough to make you suffer, etc.

Plus, Facebook goes one step further than just “be who you are”: they also gather and use info on who you are for profit. (As does Google, and nearly any free service including TV. And I think free services like that are a great option sometimes, but they have a downside.) Any time you put real info out there, you are offering value to companies to make use of it. Maybe not in ways you’d choose if you knew the details (and you probably never will). Is your private info usually abused? No, usually not... I would guess. But that’s not good enough.

The idea of a 'managed' yet 'anonymous' forum on iOS is an expired pipe dream. Just look at the App Store Review system with it's nicknames rather than true Usernames or genuine emails, it's chock full of BS from all sides to the point of being a total joke.

Really hate to say this, but FaceBook has it right, be who you are. Say what you want and stand behind it.

If you don't want anyone to know what you're saying, or if what you're saying if a lie, violent, or breaking the law, perhaps you should shut up.

Really hate to say this, but FaceBook has it right, be who you are. Say what you want and stand behind it.

You can have multiple profiles on Facebook all with some bogus background and photos. Just don't call them Mark Zuckerberg and you're good to go. Even on Google+.

Other than submitting your ID documents/DNA/fingerprint evidence it's impossible for these services to be sure everyone is who they say they are.

It's actually worse since they lend a false sense of authenticity to posts.

Mix this with a mass sockpuppet technology such as that revealed by emails from HBGary - the US.gov-linked security company cracked by Anonymous earlier last year - and you can imagine the sort of thing it can do.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/02/16/945768/-UPDATED:-The-HB-Gary-Email-That-Should-Concern-Us-All

I am NOT picking on you, but just want people to know that the forums on an internet board aren't really the place to report gov't abuse, or rant about your boss.

Why not talk with your HR dept. or a friend about your boss? Why does it have to be posted in an on-line forum for all to see? Do you really need to rant that much? How about just go outside and scream for a bit to relieve the stress?

Corrupt gov't? There are plenty of legal avenues for reporting government abuse and corruption that don't involve your name in any way.

I see everyday on these boards where someone will post an opinion, and several folks will come on and bash that person for their opinion. It really is sad to see the utter nonsense that people will post nowadays.

What gets me is that the "advancing" of the internet has madeit so easy for more ignorant people in higher concentrations. For whatever reason, stupidity loves congregating... and anonymity only seems to polarize the commentary, but I don't see it as making it any "worse" or better... I have plenty of idiot friends who blather on on facebook about their childish level of understanding of politics, or ignorant perpetuation of urban legend, stereotype etc.

But Prior to Facebook/etc, you had Website forums ( like this one ), prior to website forums, you had USENET. Prior to usenet, you had BBSes,Bitnet, and Compuserve forums. Prior to that you had social/semi-secret societies like Shriners/Moose/FreeMasons/Daughters of the Revolution. Prior to that you had Pubs and Bars.
Ignorant people in all of them, all wanting to be heard.

But the thing is, I can't agree with you when it comes to governing WHERE that stupidity should be said. It's not my right to shut someone up. They deserve to be heard. If someone wants to rant about their boss, that's there prerogative. Are they free to shout it on the street? Are they free to write a newspaper column about it? As long as it isn't libel or slander, then why shouldn't they be able to write about it on the internet?

But it's also within that bosses right to fire them... whatever the law permits that is.
But if someone is stupid enough to post that boss rant on a forum with their real name, knowing their own HR policy or state law about hiring/firing then they know what they're getting into. Reasonable man standard should apply here.

*BUT* government regulation requiring that all IDs be tied to real names or worse requiring that those names be displayed is absolutely the wrong way to go. If hat is ever enacted, the foundation of our country will be significantly damaged.

/ironic that my account is actually a representation of my real name. back when I didn't think about this very much. oops :)

Hmm, I see this as a problem.

This app was high in the ranks on the App Store. In other words, Frank made a lot from users like me who dropped $1.99 when the app went for sale.

Then, less than 3 months later, the app is pulled? What happens to the thooooousands of dollars that Frank made off this app?

He just gets to keep it?

I should be in the app-making business. I think I could make a few really good service apps that lasted 3-4 months before I pulled the plug and ran with money.

I understand something needed to change. However, pulling the plug (and keeping everyone's dough) should not have been the solution. Requiring logins, etc. would be a better alternative for the users who wished to keep using it.

People suck. Give them anonymity and they suck worse. Forums are a perfect example of places that punks can spout off against each other knowing full well that were it "real life" they'd be nursing a head injury. People are animals by nature and if you take away the reward or punishment motivation, they just revert to that animal instinct. Embarrassing to be part of it sometimes. That's why the best you can do, is be better.