Blogger/Blogspot Next Blog Warning
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Blogger.com is a free blog hosting site that has many features, but there is one feature that needs work. There is an option on the top of blogger/blogspot blogs that allows you to view random blogs. This “Next Blog” feature can be a useful way to seek out new blogs, but beware of using it. Although Blogger has a policy that does not allow pornographic material to be displayed on their blogs, they do not monitor the blogs. Many bloggers have been surprised when they use this “Next Blog” feature and are directed to a blog that is pornographic or has an inappropriate content. Although Blogger does have a Terms of Service Policy that states you must be at least 13 years old to have a blog and that pornographic or inappropriate material must not be displayed, it seems that these are just words used to protect themselves. Part of Blogger Terms of Service Policy states,
“By their very nature, Blogger.com and Blogspot.com can carry offensive material, or in some cases, postings that have been mislabeled or are otherwise deceptive. We expect that you use caution and common sense when using Blogger.com and Blogspot.com.”
Precautions from Blogger
When bloggers come across these types of blogs they have an option to “Flag” and report these blogs as inappropriate. The blog is then unable to be viewed until Blogger checks out the blog. Instead of relying on bloggers to do this they should have a screening process that weeds out these inappropriate blogs. If Blogger does wish to allow these blogs to use their service then they should not include them in the “Next Blog” feature or put a warning before the blog appears that it contains inappropriate material for some viewers.
Monitors for the Monitors
Although Blogger is a free hosting site, it should monitor the blogs they host and can not expect that every inappropriate blog out there will be flagged by someone else. This may be a case of you get what you pay for and since Blogger is free they may not be willing to do this. The next time you use the “Next Blog” option be forewarned that the site you are going to maybe inappropriate for some viewers including yourself.
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4 Comments on this post
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Mom Knows Everything said:
Hey, that looks good! Thanks for all your help!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 5:11 pm -
mercutiom said:
Working in the hosting environment as I do, I know that it’s very difficult to monitor everything you are serving. While my companies TOS also has an area regarding adult content and inappropriate content I often come across sites that we host that violate these terms, and we do have monitors up.
Many of these sites have been on our servers for years and the owners are surprised (read: pissed off royally) when they’re suspended.
This is on paid hosting, mind you, not a free service. It’s hard to monitor this kind of content because customers will intentionally rename or modify files to look innocent when really they contain adult material. Some of the file names I’ve seen are: puppies.jpg, picnics.html, r22h576.js. How is one supposed to know that it’s adult unless you look at the file itself?
With thousands of possible files on one single account it is veritable impossible to do so. So I understand why Blogger and Blogspot have the terms they have.
Though I do agree that one should be very careful when clicking “Next Blog” as well.
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:49 pm
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