Oct 30th, 2024 - 2.7 Hold, Apology, and Open Letter
an hour ago
2.7 Temporary Hold and Apology
Over the last few months a lot has changed for Fur Affinity, and throughout this change we have been trying to adjust our policy in a way that was fair to everyone. After hearing the overwhelming feedback on the site, community discord, social media, and in private conversations we’ve had with voices within the community, it is very clear that we’ve failed to do this in the recent update. We would like to apologize to the communities negatively affected including the ABDL/babyfur community, who were the targets of a deliberate mass-reporting incident that was not handled with the proper care. We are incredibly sorry for this, and the undue stress it’s caused our entire community, and we are going to do everything within our power to make it right.
In order to accomplish this, we are going back to the drawing board to put this together the proper way. We want to take the first step in correcting this by putting a pause on all moderation actions involving Upload Policy 2.7 (with the noted exception of egregious or non-artistic violations) for the time being. We would like to remind everyone that malicious mass reporting is an abuse of the trouble ticket system and will not be tolerated. Going forward we will be making sure that abuse of the reporting system does not lead to individuals or communities being unfairly targeted. We would also like to remind everyone that harassment of anyone is not allowed on Fur Affinity; this includes attaching negative implications to people because they enjoy particular types of art. If you encounter this on Fur Affinity, please report it.
We know that many of you likely have unanswered questions in regards to the previous announcement, and on the nature of policy 2.7 as a whole. We know that for many of you, trust in us has been severely shaken or broken altogether; hopefully, with time and positive action, we may be able to regain that trust. Our lack of transparency is a large part of what has led to this entire unfortunate situation. This is something that has long been an issue with Fur Affinity and we are working diligently to correct, developing a plan of action that will allow us to address these and other concerns. Working these things out will take time, community outreach, and careful consideration - all things that we should have been doing better the first time around - but before anything else, we felt it was very important to issue an apology and assure those of you who’ve been affected most by this that your voices are being heard, and that we are taking the feedback we receive very seriously. We are going to do everything we can to make sure that everyone in our community can feel safe, comfortable, and welcome. We very much would like to humbly ask for patience while we develop newer, fairer policies that accurately reflect the input of everyone who calls Fur Affinity home.
Open Letter
This is from Sciggles Sciggles only.
It’s been over two months since Dragoneer passed. In some ways it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like it’s been forever. It is something that has shaken the entire community. With that it has also shaken staff and inner workings. We’ve all been grieving and trying to figure out our way forward in the chaos. There has been an overwhelming amount of stress on all of us. I am still fumbling to figure out all the pieces and fill his shoes. He carried a ton of responsibilities on his own. More than one person SHOULD. And there is no guidebook for it. Majority of the Fur Affinity staffers are volunteer based. They dedicate hours upon hours of their free time to try to make FA a better place for all of us. We have lost some staffers during this transitional process, the growing pains and uncertainties can be a lot when we are all trying to figure out the best step forward. We are all human. None of us are perfect, and regardless of personal opinion it is a very difficult position and they do deserve respect for their efforts.
With all this said, I am wholeheartedly under a ton of pressure and stress and overwhelmed with all of this.
In trying to catch up with all I need to learn and do I was presented with an issue in regards to bans happening due to a malicious mass reporting situation that was specifically targeting Babyfurs and the ABDL communities here on Fur Affinity. I felt an obligation to do community outreach and try to fix it. I acknowledge and agree that the “solution” made was not a good one. It was one made out of a huge amount of stress and pressure to rush out something. Which is not okay. I'm really sorry for that. I know saying I'm sorry won't fix it. I am very aware that people are RIGHTFULLY angry. But that's also why I am still trying to take in feedback and listening to see what we can do to make it better. There is no making everyone happy...but I know we can do better than what was pushed out. And I take responsibility for not doing more and spending more time working on it before this.
I need help with this. We were short staffed to begin with and now even more so. If you have ever wanted to lend a hand in making Fur Affinity a better place for all, please fill out this form to start the process of applying to become a mod or part of the support team.
https://forms.gle/NbgqvdtxGo5RGqx97
It may take a little time to get through applications, and not everyone will be approved, but I have hopes we will be able to get Fur Affinity where it needs to be with community help.
I appreciate all of your time and consideration in this. I hope I can do better moving forward.
