Habbo caught up in child sex scandal / Habbo Mute

[xxMATTGxx]

Habbo caught up in child sex scandal


http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/06/12/habbo-caught-up-in-child-sex-scandal-main-investor-runs-for-the-hills-ceo-pledges-to-tighten-security


(On phone, so sorry for any mistakes)

Thread closed due to bump.

[Mathew]

...and this is why they shouldn't be promoting flirting, dating and "maybe more ;)" in their advertisements. Looks like Sulake are in for a rough patch, let's hope they step it up.

[scottish]

http://www.kernelmag.com/features/report/2535/habbo-exposed-paedophile-haven/

[Kasabian]

http://www.kernelmag.com/features/report/2535/habbo-exposed-paedophile-haven/

"fingered as a hotbed" isn't the best phrase to use when discussing habbo as a PAEDOPHILE HAVEN. hahahahah

[Jazz]

it really makes you think about who you talk to on the internet..

[buttons]

http://www.kernelmag.com/features/report/2535/habbo-exposed-paedophile-haven/
LOL
I LIKE THIS GUYS COMMENT


"Jon Gold (https://www.facebook.com/jonvetica) · Subscribe (https://www.facebook.com/plugins/comments.php?api_key=209485965799834&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2F connect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D7%23cb%3Df2e4 fba58810344%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.kern elmag.com%252Ffb02c94cb6b074%26domain%3Dwww.kernel mag.com%26relation%3Dparent.parent&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kernelmag.com%2Ffeatures%2Fr eport%2F2535%2Fhabbo-exposed-paedophile-haven%2F&locale=en_GB&numposts=5&sdk=joey&width=512#) · Top commenter · Works at Designed By Gold

(https://www.facebook.com/designedbygold)1) Habbo was 98% teenagers cybering 11 years ago—when I was a young teenager, mind—people have only just realised?

2) 'has been fingered', 2nd paragraph. Made my day."
he looks about 30 to me

[scottish]

Channel 4 discovered sexually explicit messages on Habbo within minutes of logging on to the site. Among the messages discovered were: “Hey licky your v a g i n a. There you go darling. Sticks diick jn you. You’ve lost your virginity. Right NEXT”, “Hey do you have a webcam? You got msn or skype?.. you take off your clothes” and “I want some cute girls not gay ******s”.

Though the company has been informed by Channel 4 of the findings, messages such as “kill this dam [sic] jew” and “you desperate to get someone in your pants you want a threesome” were still appearing on the site this morning.


made me laugh.

Habbo can't really do anything about that though.

C4 turned off filter revealing these words and also mods can only deal with stuff after its been said, unless they were to moderate every single message sent and need to approve every appropriate message... which would just be stupid.

[Mathew]

One London entrepreneur described the move today as “the most cowardly hand-washing act I’ve ever seen from an investor”.


Another told us: “Assigning culpability to Sulake for illegal activity on Habbo is something equivalent to blaming eBay for rogue sellers: Habbo is a platform business with some moral responsibility for activity on its network, but it cannot be expected to police every transaction. And the company has not broken any law.”
They do have a point, I suppose.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/12/trouble-at-habbo-hotel-balderton-dumps-13-stake-in-owner-sulake-over-dodgy-child-content/
http://www.develop-online.net/news/41089/Sulake-doing-all-it-can-to-keep-children-safe
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/172189/Habbo_investors_balk_amid_child_safety_concerns__r eport.php
http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/06/12/habbo-caught-up-in-child-sex-scandal-main-investor-runs-for-the-hills-ceo-pledges-to-tighten-security/
http://gigaom.com/europe/teen-world-habbo-hit-by-child-sex-scandal/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OmMalik+%28GigaOM%3A+Tech%29
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/channel-4-news-to-describe-habbo-as-paedophile-haven/097802

..and Channel 4: http://www.channel4.com/news/should-you-let-your-child-play-in-habbo-hotel

Looks like it will be on the news at 7pm. Will probably hit the newspapers tomorrow too.. :O

[xxMATTGxx]

Direct link to the blog post that the CEO of Sulake wrote/talked about in regards of this:

http://www.sulake.com/blog/entries/policing-and-protecting-the-habbo-community-a-message-from-the-ceo/

[Kieran]

In all fairness to those comments that Kernel Mag pulled up... who's to say it's not 13 year old's typing them? Yeah, fair enough they're not appropriate but have the people writing these articles heard how kids speak on the streets these days? They're deluded if they think they can police it back to how it was 50 years ago where no one dared swear or be vulgar.

[Red]

Oh gawney haha. Now the mute after saying one word makes sense but as Mathew said, why are they still promoting flirting, dating etc? Should be a wakeup call to hire better moderation.

[DPS]

Well this will be fun to watch... LOL

[MKR&*42]

(lol actually sticking up for Sulake here)

I don't think this is a very "fair" report(s) to be quite honest, Sulake can't really do a lot more to start controlling this. Admittedly they shouldn't begin to advertising "flirting", dating or marriage for Habbo because people usually will get the idea that they can associate sex in all of it, if they're allowed to flirt why can't they take it to the level of sex is what they're going to think.

One of the most interesting lines I saw was about how relatively easy it is to fake your age on Habbo... yes, because you can't do that on something like IMVU, Second Life, Facebook etc. etc. I joined second life years ago under age (sure it's 18+?) and got asked for sex with in 5 minutes. On Habbo I never got asked for sex until I MYSELF decided to go into a "Sexy Singles" years ago. You have to go into a certain type of room *usually* to be asked to be cyber tbqh? Sulake are to blame for the fact there are dating rooms, but it is ultimately a user's choice to go enter one of them - I'm sure if I went to a dodgeball game I wouldn't be asked for sex, no?

As for the filter, this is where I think Sulake need to start updating it. It's so easy to type "diick" and get away with it, or "se%" and get away with it. I admit that's a problem Sulake need to fix, cause it's so easy to bypass it if you have filter turned on. As for people who have the filter turned off and complaining about people using sexual words that don't bypass the filter - that's their problem? Not Sulake's.

Quite silly of Balderton Capital to pull out. Cybering on Habbo as occurred for years and years, and after 8 years they randomly decide to pull out? It hasn't just started "this year" so why pull out this year? :l.

70 million lines of conversation is an awful lot, and people have the option to REPORT SOMEONE IF THEY ARE ASKING FOR CYBER SEX. Sulake can really not do much more (apart from respond to CFHs quicker and improve the filter) because Moderators already ban for the issue. If you are disgusted by cybersex, use the report button - don't go claiming it's all Sulake's fault because unless Sulake control whatever we type, it's not their fault. I don't support cyber sex (lala) at all, but ultimately it is the child's fault for going on the website and the parent's fault for not blocking the website if they know dating is going to be involved and sex could be an issue.

Sulake are to blame for an outdated filter, advertising dating and sometimes slow responses to cfhs (but there are only 225 mods lol), everything else is down to the player and the player's parent. Besides, a wide % of the community are adults who don't care about their stuff, a large % of teens who know about this stuff and I imagine only a small/moderate amount of people who have faked their age.

[lawrawrrr]

They shouldn't be promoting flirting as this will happen, especially with teenagers who are just reaching sexual maturity...

[Aaron]

It'll be interesting to see the News broadcast on Channel 4 tonight. Sulake have gotten themselves in a rough patch..

[Kyle]

this wouldnt happen if redtiz still worked there

[Grig]

I wrote numerous articles about this for Habbox and it's an ongoing occurrence. Not the first occasion.

[geo]

haha, all the popular rooms have gone. kinda find it unfair how they didn't just rename/pickall rooms.. they just deleted them. unfair on owners who spent a lot and thought it would be harmless. erx's group with 40,000 has been deleted, i bet he won't be happy. :P meh, i guess i can see why they're doing all this though, the amount of dating rooms was silly.

[Bails]

In congregation with MattG's post, Channel 4 have provided
a news report that is to be broadcasted at 7pm BST on Channel
4 News...

http://i46.tinypic.com/2564s8z.png

Threads merged by Zuth (Forum Moderator): As they're on the same topic

[MKR&*42]

Ik I posted in the other thread, but LOL at that photo. Feel sorry for anyone who was actually one of the strippers ;)

[lawrawrrr]

omg im so worried cos i was in those rooms getting screenies for a report a few months ago!!!

imma avoid c4 tonight as my parents found out i had a habbo years ago and BANNED ME from it...

[Samantha]

I don't think Habbo is always like that though, I know first impressions and everything but at the end of the day it's only a minority who are like that. There's many other, intersting things to do on Habbo that doesn't involve cybering and such so why don't they do an extensive research instead of just commenting on that?

[Michael]

For years now i've complained about those rooms, many of us have complained about them. Moderators didn't care, the moderators never nipped it in the bud and so it bloomed. Users made these rooms to achieve popularity, and 'Higher achievement score'. I'm glad its finally come to Habbo's attention to finally delete these rooms - the navigator is actually accessible to navigate now without having to see room over room of 'romance clubs'. I'll be looking forward to seeing the news tonight, even though its biased towards 'against Habbo' than the 'for Habbo'.

[Samantha]

haha, all the popular rooms have gone. kinda find it unfair how they didn't just rename/pickall rooms.. they just deleted them. unfair on owners who spent a lot and thought it would be harmless. erx's group with 40,000 has been deleted, i bet he won't be happy. :P meh, i guess i can see why they're doing all this though, the amount of dating rooms was silly.

Ah I bet he won't receive a refund either even though I don't think it's his fault in all fairness, Habbo have allowed it to escalated to 40,000 members so why didn't they stop it earlier. It's obvious they only want to stop it until the heat dies down and then they will just get people doing it again. As many have said they will bypass the filter and such so you can't get rid of them completely but there's a difference between saying a doing, saying you're going to do something and not, saying it's for flirting, the 'meet your love' or something that was on the Habbo Way was shocking and it's bad that not everyone sees that. I for one would never cyber over Habbo as I see no point really, Habbo want to tighten the ship with the cybering and such but as Warren said why didn't they do that years ago.

Paul doesn't really give a flying one either.

[xxMATTGxx]

This is some what related but the mute business now is quite strict, well it was to me last night. I believe I said *strokes* - This was aimed at the caterpillar and I got muted for it. I see Habbo have taken action and deleted peoples rooms but it's not really their fault at the end of the day? They should of just closed them/renamed them.

[Mikey]

Channel 4 have even sent the information to the government, **** is gonna go down on Channel 4 News tonight.

[dbgtz]

Probably a biased as hell article that only went to places which these sorts of actions are likely (wouldn't go to a trade room to find this etc.), just like an alley with a bunch of creeps in. Anyway it's up to the parents to do something about it, so the government shouldn't have to act on this apart from the actual abuse itself of course.

[Pigperson]

That is terrible lol, sucks to be Habbo right now...

Will

[iBlueBox]

Probably a biased as hell article that only went to places which these sorts of actions are likely (wouldn't go to a trade room to find this etc.), just like an alley with a bunch of creeps in. Anyway it's up to the parents to do something about it, so the government shouldn't have to act on this apart from the actual abuse itself of course.


I kind of agree with this.

But also If habbo agrees with everything they said in the blog post about the news report. Why did it take them till they had a bit of bad press coverage to actually take action such as removing date rooms and so on.

[MKR&*42]

I kind of agree with this.

But also If habbo agrees with everything they said in the blog post about the news report. Why did it take them till they had a bit of bad press coverage to actually take action such as removing date rooms and so on.

'Cause Sulake don't care about the opinions of teens/adult players if it goes against their money making schemes. It takes something big (i.e. the fact that channel 4 is reporting this and that it's on hundreds of sites) from the media to affect anything Sulake do to make profit. Maybe we should get channel 4 to complain about moderation in general? Sure that *could* increase moderation on the hotel ;) (i kid ofc).

[Awfy]

he looks about 30 to me
I know Jon Gold, he's only about 23 now so it's safe to say 11 years ago he'd definitely have been a teenager.

[Lewis]

Since the news article and everything that's happened about channel 4, soon to be on the news.... do you think habbo could shut down because of this? Lots of people have resigned, their entire like.. can't remember the name, but they could end up losing millions lol

Threads merged by Jordan (Forum Super Moderator): As both on same topic

[Storking]

The findings are 100% true, Habbo is completely full of vulgarity and cyber sex lately and Sulake knew all about it as it was being reported a lot by users, so i'm glad this has been escalated and they've lost sponsors from it.

Hopefully it'll make them take action on these rooms rather than telling us to "ignore it" so frequently. :rolleyes:

[Mark]

I'm glad Channel 4 have exploited habbo to what it truly is. There are far too much of these kind of activities going on and habbo know it. Imo they hide behind the fact they allow 'flirtatious chatting' to mask what is really going on. From the start of the merge Habbo's moderation has been diabolical and it humours me how only now they're actually combating it. Kudos to Channel 4 for doing this, hopefully Sulake will be forced to change their ways.

[Jordan]

I think it's good that now Habbo is shown for what it has mainly been hosting within the site. I hope because of this investigation Habbo realise that it is a problem that needs to be addressed now and not be delayed or ignored.

BBC News also have posted an article too http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763

[MKR&*42]

I think it's good that now Habbo is shown for what it has mainly been hosting within the site. I hope because of this investigation Habbo realise that it is a problem that needs to be addressed now and not be delayed or ignored.

BBC News also have posted an article too http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763

Oh I was trying to find a BBC article (I expected they'd report on it as well), ty xx

[Jordan]

Doubt it, but they will lose money.


One of the biggest investors in popular childrens' online game Habbo has pulled out after concerns were raised about "explicitly sexual interactions".

[Storking]

@Paullafo tweets:


"Rooms that have a context that is inappropriate we close. thanks"

"Freedom of expression and certain role play is part of being social. Cybering is not. So we safely allow one and block other. Thx"

"explicit rooms we search out and ban. We also balance freedom to express. You've made your points. Thanks"




What a load of crap! God knows how many times i've gone into cyber sex rooms and reported them, only to be told to "not abuse the call for help system" or "ignore it". Either he is deluded to what the moderators really do or trying to cover up the truth that C4 have uncovered.

[MKR&*42]

@Paullafo tweets:



What a load of crap! God knows how many times i've gone into cyber sex rooms and reported them, only to be told to "not abuse the call for help system" or "ignore it". Either he is deluded to what the moderators really do or trying to cover up the truth that C4 have uncovered.

They've only just started this today, but there are still quite a few rooms around. They should simply remove the [DATE] category from the navigator. I have no problem with [Friends] (like 16+, I've been into them loads and have never seen/been asked for sex) or [Party] but [DATE] is the major issue. Also, all the gay bi les rooms have gone... ik one of them certainly didn't deserve to go because the only actually put quite a good word filter in the room (via wired) which I kept getting caught out by :l. I think they just removed all with beds though xD.

[CrazyLemurs]

Wow that's bleurgh
And to think about 2/3 of Habbox has actually partaken in this "sport" :P

[:.justben.:]

http://www.channel4.com/news/should-you-let-your-child-play-in-habbo-hotel

this is a bit biased to me? and if your stupid to get naked on camera then you deserve every thing you get xD and ive never experienced this because i've always been a vip sure we share pics of our face and stuff but its never caused trouble for me? what do you think and the line at the bottom of the page "Channel four news has passed the findings of the investigation to the goverment"has sparked a few rumors about habbo getting shut down? what do you think?
Ps. sorry my report wasn't very good i'm not ment to be a news reporter xD

Thread merged here by Martin (Forum Super Moderator): As this thread is already discussing this issue.

[FlyingJesus]

This isn't new, and this isn't unique to Habbo. Anyone with internet access can get on chatsites and games, all of which give one the freedom to experiment with social situations from the relative safety of their computer screens. Teens are always going to want to act in certain ways, and while it's possible for these things to go too far and involve the wrong people it is round for round far better that it happens in this way than sneaking out and actually involving themselves with older persons in the flesh. People making poor choices on a specific platform is not the fault of that platform

[GoldenMerc]

What times this news thing on? in UK Time... n channel also

[MKR&*42]

Won't be shut down and I'm really peeved at this specifically being targeted to Habbo. It happens all across the internet and these sites remain open, I'd image especially in online dating sites cybersex occurs (even though you have to be 18+ for most :P) and most other virtual worlds aren't innocent either.

Tbh, it's more disgraceful seeing a 15 yr old girl post a nude image of herself on facebook (yes someone at our school did that) than for someone to have cybersex on Habbo. Facebook just happen to deal with the issue quicker because they've got a bigger workforce and more people are likely to be disgusted by an image as opposed to text on Habbo. As for people who take their cyber sex on Habbo to MSN, well that's just ridiculous and not Sulake's fault tbh (they can't filter hotmails anymore :S - people just type it seperately, so unless they decide to filter the @ key, not gonna happen).

basically, they won't be shut down lol. Happens across the internet and it's just something we all have to face sometimes. (Somehow).

[MKR&*42]

What times this news thing on? in UK Time... n channel also

Channel 4 (104 sky, 004/4 digital/freeview) at 7pm. It's on their news I believe :P

'TIS WHAT THE ADVERT SAID ANYWAY. If it's not, then it can't be on anywhere else tonight - all other c4 tonight is embarassing bodies or some other random stuff.

[Storking]

Wow Habbo is being completely ripped apart on channel 4 right now.

[Grig]

Is there a utube link of this report, really wanna see it :(!!!!

[MKR&*42]

This is great lol. "A mecca for pedophiles", best analogy ever.

[Storking]

They just described it as a children's brothel..

[TonyBest]

Just saw something similar to this being mentioned on Channel 4 news there now.

[Amberr]

Watching this on channel 4 now. Surprised its taken this long for something to be done about it.

[buttons]

hahaha im dying
"people are having sex with me without my permission"
"i am having sex with you and now im leaving u"

hahahahhaahha omg. its so funny. well all its really doing is promoting habbo and giving pedos a place to go :/

[scottish]

Roxy; your room is on tv LOL

[Grig]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763

Biggest investor pulls out after these shocking allegations.

BYE BYE HABBZ

[scottish]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763

Biggest investor pulls out after these shocking allegations.

BYE BYE HABBZ

that was announced this morning? lol

[Amberr]

Roxy; your room is on tv LOL

LOL i thought I recognised it!! Hahaha that is brilliant.

[MKR&*42]

LOL I thought I'd seen that room before ^ ^.

Sorry, I think it's just ridiculous it got compared to Moshi Monsters and the fact they refer to it as a children's world. It's a world aimed at teenagers, and only teenagers can sign up (if you don't fake your age). Sexual discussions is normal for teenagers, I admit something should be done about trying to go on msn or skype or w.e but that was very biased imo.

[xxMATTGxx]

Hold up, Moshi Monsters - I'm pretty sure that was made by an Ex-Member of Sulake Staff and I believe other ex-staff went over to there as well....

[Grig]

that was announced this morning? lol

o well i was behind if it was

gonna be more useless bans now as well

[scottish]

It's stupid how they're going on about their first encounters

if they go to any room outwith the 'DATING' section they'll experience nothing like it, so they're putting habbo as basically only exists for cyber when there in the rooms in the only section that does that

******* idiots if you ask me.

[Mark]

Imo there will only be pointless bans if you're stupid enough to say sexually related words which will trigger off the CFH

[Grig]

I love it though. Habbo deserved this medicine for mismanagement as it was.

[MKR&*42]

LOL Habbo has been flooded with people, every public room -1 has got 100 people in it. Went into some busier rooms and people are talking about it 24/7 lmfao.

[brandon]

I thought the report was harsh, but slightly amusing.

[Headwire]

Hold up, Moshi Monsters - I'm pretty sure that was made by an Ex-Member of Sulake Staff and I believe other ex-staff went over to there as well....

Woman interviewed was 'Becs' the old Head of Moderation, for her to say she had never seen these types of things didn't make sense. I think CH4 should have also mentioned the fact she used to be employed by the company she was taking about.

[GoldenMerc]

Two small clips of the C4 Investigation;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gghj1vQ3pos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee1z-N0Ua9c

[Storking]

Habbo usercount has gone up, any publicity is good publicity I guess. :P

[mrwoooooooo]

So that was Becs?

https://twitter.com/#!/RebeccaNewton

Bit rich of her to talk about Habbo like that when she obv knew it was happening before

[Headwire]

So that was Becs?

https://twitter.com/#!/RebeccaNewton

Bit rich of her to talk about Habbo like that when she obv knew it was happening before

Yup thats the one, something just seemed strange about the report. Yeah ok we know stuff like this happens but you telling me any of the chat/social networks dont have this happening?

For them to get an interview with Becs and to say has never seen anything like this is just wrong

[xxMATTGxx]

So that was Becs?

https://twitter.com/#!/RebeccaNewton

Bit rich of her to talk about Habbo like that when she obv knew it was happening before

At least moderation was some what better back when she was around, not full of automation :P

[scottish]

It's ******* stupid now we have every other stupid **** coming online trying act totally cool because it was on the news and not every other kid in the country is trying to do the exact same thing...

[iBlueBox]

The account Becs was last online 10 days ago.

[GoldenMerc]

To be fair, i can easily say i've never seen this side of Habbo. Maybe all my uservoice ideas, everything i said to Paul about moderators being less useful than a 3 year old kid is coming to the spotlight, or maybe they will push it to the side, increase the mute ban system by adding more triggers and get on with it. We'l see soon

[Headwire]

At least moderation was some what better back when she was around, not full of automation :P

I think this could be the beginning of the end for outsourced moderation

[Storking]

They'll definitely have to change or they won't get any more sponsors, especially after a major investor pulled out, what company would want to be associated with Habbo in its current state?

[GoldenMerc]

I think this could be the beginning of the end for outsourced moderation

Highly doubtful, far better profit lines in hiring outsourced part time staff. heck some countrys don't even have minimal wages, so its a complete profit line.

[wiktoria]

i missed habbo on the news :( i wanna see the clip tho

[GoldenMerc]

Two small clips of the C4 Investigation;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gghj1vQ3pos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee1z-N0Ua9c


i missed habbo on the news :( i wanna see the clip tho
wikiiiii

Still don't think Habbo will do anything

[Cool--]

Unfair report, but will be damaging for Habbo. Expect huge changes.

[Headwire]

Highly doubtful, far better profit lines in hiring outsourced part time staff. heck some countrys don't even have minimal wages, so its a complete profit line.

Sometimes a company has to spend some money to earn respect from its board members and future investors. They must see moderation is at an all time low for a company that was so proud of the various online safety awards it used to win.

[Jssy]

'sularkee' haha, but yeah this should be a wake up call for tighter moderation. Moderation just seem literally like bots nowadays

[xxMATTGxx]

'sularkee' haha, but yeah this should be a wake up call for tighter moderation. Moderation just seem literally like bots nowadays

It isn't Su-lake you know :P

[GoldenMerc]

It isn't Su-lake you know :P

That's how i say it, when he kept saying surlakskskwekiie or what ever he said i was like what is this guy on

[Martin]

Think this was always going to happen eventually haha, certainly not unexpected and moderation whilst it hasnt always been fantastic, its definitely gone downhill a lot. They seem to be shooting themselves in the foot a bit by promoting 'dating' rooms etc.

That report was really quite harsh, which could be a good thing I guess if it means they will make the changes needed, although this will be quite hard since without moderating every single chat on habbo personally I don't know how they can fully prevent it.


and omg there seems to be a lot more people online tonight :O haha!

[xxMATTGxx]

That's how i say it, when he kept saying surlakskskwekiie or what ever he said i was like what is this guy on

Yeah I used to say Su-lake but when I seen how Paul (CEO) says it in a video, I started saying it that way :P

[Jssy]

It isn't Su-lake you know :P
I know it's just weird because I've never heard anyone pronounce it that way since I have always pronounced it su-lake :D

[GoldenMerc]

when i have kids with @wixerd; were only going to let our kids on mashable monsters, like becs, shes my mashable monster

[garriet]

addressing to everyone that habbo is pretty much full of pedophiles will only attract more, in my opinion.

[xxMATTGxx]

I know it's just weird because I've never heard anyone pronounce it that way since I have always pronounced it su-lake :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ_ZcPVgt-g&t=34s

Paul says it at 40 seconds, enjoy :P

[GoldenMerc]

Found this trending on twitter;
http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/talking-to-a-paedophile-on-habbo-hotel?utm_source=vicetwitter

[Abdicators]

Incredibly bias report. Habbo is very highly moderated, but I don't feel the outsourced moderators are the best way to go about it. I feel that Hobbas should be re-introduced to Habbo in the same fashion that they were allowed to exist on habbo.com as oppose to how they existed on other hotels.

[GoldenMerc]

Incredibly bias report. Habbo is very highly moderated, but I don't feel the outsourced moderators are the best way to go about it. I feel that Hobbas should be re-introduced to Habbo in the same fashion that they were allowed to exist on habbo.com as oppose to how they existed on other hotels.
Don't be silly, Habbo's barely moderated at all? I could do what ever i wanted for ages unless i said a certain word e.g cam. Something that would trigger the mute / ban function, At some points it actually looks un-moderated, they rely on so many functions, yet kids arn't idiots, they know they can get around this. E.g msn was a filtered word, they say c2c, things to avoid the filter.

[Jssy]

Yeah my mum saw the report and she was concerned about my 13 year old sister because my sister has special needs so doesn't really understand and yeah I've just discovered my mum thought habbo was just a dress up game LOL

[Abdicators]

Don't be silly, Habbo's barely moderated at all? I could do what ever i wanted for ages unless i said a certain word e.g cam. Something that would trigger the mute / ban function, At some points it actually looks un-moderated, they rely on so many functions, yet kids arn't idiots, they know they can get around this. E.g msn was a filtered word, they say c2c, things to avoid the filter.

You can only moderate so much. It's absurd to think a site that has to moderate over 700 million lines of chat will pick up everything, in cases where peadophiles have been spotted they have been jailed. The fact you can say "c2c" and not be banned straight away does not indicate bad moderation. You like everyone else has the option to report this sort of chat to moderation, you also have the option to not participate in it like other users do.

[Storking]

Incredibly bias report. Habbo is very highly moderated, but I don't feel the outsourced moderators are the best way to go about it. I feel that Hobbas should be re-introduced to Habbo in the same fashion that they were allowed to exist on habbo.com as oppose to how they existed on other hotels.

Habbo is not at all "very highly moderated", you may get a quick response to your call for help but 95% of the time, the response is completely unrelated/unhelpful/utterly pointless!

[GoldenMerc]

You can only moderate so much. It's absurd to think a site that has to moderate over 700 million lines of chat will pick up everything, in cases where peadophiles have been spotted they have been jailed. The fact you can say "c2c" and not be banned straight away does not indicate bad moderation. You like everyone else has the option to report this sort of chat to moderation, you also have the option to not participate in it like other users do.


You have the option to not participate in it like other users do

Are you a moron? Thats what the whole situation is about now, people who are a lot older taking advantage of 10year old girls. Yeh they have brains, they can do what they want, but would you really want some 20+ guy asking your 10 year old daughter what size her boobs are?

[DPS]

Channel 4 have removed my comments from there page and have banned me for sticking up for Habbo, Many people i know have also been banned from ever commenting on that facebook page again..

[Abdicators]

Are you a moron? Thats what the whole situation is about now, people who are a lot older taking advantage of 10year old girls. Yeh they have brains, they can do what they want, but would you really want some 20+ guy asking your 10 year old daughter what size her boobs are?

Parents should be moderating their own children at that age. It's the fault of the parent letting a child of that age onto a site where users are not visible, and can openly chat to other users. Habbo has an age restriction for a reason, and whilst even I agree 13 is incredibly young, a parent should still moderate the childs behaviour at that age. The child should know that type of chat is inappropriate and tell their parents.

Please don't begin to insult other users intelligence or persona's because you disagree with them. I've been nothing but polite to you.

[GoldenMerc]

Yes your correct, parents should be moderating their kids at 13 to lets say 15-16, but the difference is. Their every move are you serious? I mean say if im sitting 7-8ft away from the computer watching tv for example watching over my child, i can't see the writing off someone saying hey have you got skype so we can cam. I can't see that, unfortuantly its not in the biggest size.

No your insulting my intelligence though, hardly polite but just get a wiff you may be inclined or work for Sulake from the points you make are so very silly.

[iBlueBox]

What I don't get is channel 4 going on about how children are exposed to too much sexual stuff.

Yet straight after the news they put embarrassing bodies on with all parts shown at 8pm before the watershed?

[Abdicators]

Yes your correct, parents should be moderating their kids at 13 to lets say 15-16, but the difference is. Their every move are you serious? I mean say if im sitting 7-8ft away from the computer watching tv for example watching over my child, i can't see the writing off someone saying hey have you got skype so we can cam. I can't see that, unfortuantly its not in the biggest size.

No your insulting my intelligence though, hardly polite but just get a wiff you may be inclined or work for Sulake from the points you make are so very silly.

At 15-16 teenagers are far more aware of sex than a 13 year old. They will know perfectly well the dangers of using chat services such as MSN; or at least they should. Their every move should not be monitored, that gives the impression of a lack of trust. But you should be checking up on your childs online activities when they're at a young age. I've been following live tweets, some parents are flipping out, whilst others are commenting that parents are not putting enough of their own moderation onto the child. Everyone is aware of the dangers of all online chats, this doesn't just stop at Habbo.

My views are representativeness of me, they have no affiliation with Sulake.

A very good tweet on this issue:


@Xepsjonell (https://twitter.com/#!/Xepsjonell)@Channel4News (https://twitter.com/#!/Channel4News) Responsibility for kids online lies with the parents. Habbo is a hangout for creative teens, not children. #c4news (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23c4news)@PaulLaFo (https://twitter.com/#!/PaulLaFo)

[MKR&*42]

What I disliked about one of the example situations they used was when they accepted that RANDOMER'S friend request (someone who they hadn't even spoke to at all) and then just let him talk sexual to them on PM? I'm sorry, but if you start complaining after a few lines of him being sexual to you then maybe you should have

a) declined his friend request because you hadn't spoke a word to him.
b) Reported him the moment he started being sexual.

It's like, let's say a woman is about to get raped (irl). She doesn't wait until after the man has "finished" / is "halfway through" to scream for help (if she can) does she? She does it straight away. It's not ******* hard to delete someone/report them/not accept their request if you're afraid they'll do something sexual to you.

As for moderation, Sulake could expand and probably need to (if they have the money lol.) and even Paul LaFo said a month ago on twitter that attention via moderation is the lowest per. player on .com. But even then, trying to moderate all rooms (without someone reporting) + all Private Messages is near impossible.

[Velma.]

Habbo wasn't always like that though:
When I first began playing, around 2007 --
nothing was sexual it was all about trading furniture
and getting the latest effects but now Habbo is all about money
and if you haven't noticed, in the media (movies, music..tv shows ) it's all about
sex, xes, lol<

so yeah..

[DPS]

Emma Monks (https://www.facebook.com/emmamonksuk)
I would be interested to know whether the researchers asked Sulake what happened to those people they were talking to on Habbo. The reason I ask that is because I know for an absolute FACT that many of the examples of speech given would have raised priority tickets for moderation staff which would have resulted in those players getting banned and, in some cases, reported to CEOP (in the case of the UK.) the fact that some speech is not filtered out does not mean that action wasn't taken. I would also add that Jim Gamble's statements about human moderators simply DON'T scale up - you would need an army to eyeball 70 million chat lines a day; only advanced profiling technology can do that.

Ex Staff ^^ comment on fb. well i think shes Ex Staff dont think she works for sulake anymore.

[GoldenMerc]

Emma Monks (https://www.facebook.com/emmamonksuk)
I would be interested to know whether the researchers asked Sulake what happened to those people they were talking to on Habbo. The reason I ask that is because I know for an absolute FACT that many of the examples of speech given would have raised priority tickets for moderation staff which would have resulted in those players getting banned and, in some cases, reported to CEOP (in the case of the UK.) the fact that some speech is not filtered out does not mean that action wasn't taken. I would also add that Jim Gamble's statements about human moderators simply DON'T scale up - you would need an army to eyeball 70 million chat lines a day; only advanced profiling technology can do that.

Ex Staff ^^ comment on fb. well i think shes Ex Staff dont think she works for sulake anymore.

Shes left, but i guess she backed up Sulake, would have thought Becs would have too

[DPS]

for the non uk people that cant see the news.

this should work,

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid601325122001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAEabvr4~,Wtd2HT-p_Vh4qBcIZDrvZlvNCU8nxccG&bctid=1686028204001

[xxMATTGxx]

You can watch the Channel 4 News report again by going to:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid601325122001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAEabvr4~,Wtd2HT-p_Vh4qBcIZDrvZlvNCU8nxccG&bctid=1686028204001

(Blame Channel 4 for the long link)

[Mathew]

ts really doing is promoting habbo and giving pedos a place to go :/
Quite right. Bringing the issue straight out into the open simply makes everything a lot worse (I studied it in Sociology - deviancy amplification spiral (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deviancy_amplification_spiral)). If they had considered the effects of this, then they would have been better emailing Habbo directly and only publishing results as a last resort.


@Roxy (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=46824); your room is on tv LOL
Hahaha, I looked in the [DATE] category earlier and saw Roxy's room, so wondered if it would be featured. Brilliant. :P

[Abdicators]

Emma Monks (https://www.facebook.com/emmamonksuk)
I would be interested to know whether the researchers asked Sulake what happened to those people they were talking to on Habbo. The reason I ask that is because I know for an absolute FACT that many of the examples of speech given would have raised priority tickets for moderation staff which would have resulted in those players getting banned and, in some cases, reported to CEOP (in the case of the UK.) the fact that some speech is not filtered out does not mean that action wasn't taken. I would also add that Jim Gamble's statements about human moderators simply DON'T scale up - you would need an army to eyeball 70 million chat lines a day; only advanced profiling technology can do that.

Ex Staff ^^ comment on fb. well i think shes Ex Staff dont think she works for sulake anymore.


She is ex-staff yes. But she's absolutely right.

[sex]

Hope the get rid of the out sourced **** mods tbh

[Absently]

Well, I'll be honest, I get a kick out of sitting in one of those ''sexy rooms'' and reporting everything inappropriate. There generally is A LOT, but a minute or two after I've reported they've been banned, which IMO is pretty good.

[Geiranger]

Can any of you not type in Habbo rooms?

Anyone know why?

Post below!! xoxooxoxox

------------------------------------------

Update 1:
Habbos, I will have an announcement about the global mute shortly. Be patient and we will continue to keep you updated. https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212633934104760321

Update 2:
Habbos, due to the challenging behavior of a few users we have decided to mute the site and will update you when we have more information. https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212640159529840641

Update 3:
Habbos I am saddened but believe it is right to mute all while we continue to investigate. I’ll be sure to update you when I can. #Habbo https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212648601501974529

Update 4:
Tesco have made the decision to remove Habbo Hotel giftcards from sale:


@RevPaulCA Hello Paul, we have taken the decision to remove the Habbo Hotel Giftcard from sale.

https://twitter.com/UKTesco/status/212630145675165696


Thread Merged by xxMATTGxx (General Manager): As they are on the same topic.

[sex]

No one in any rooms can talk whats going on

[Mathew]

Habbo have clearly only just realised that teenagers know what sex is and decided to mute us all to save us from corruption.

[xxMATTGxx]

The whole hotel seems to be muted.

[David]

Habbo is closing

---------- Post added 12-06-2012 at 08:48 PM ----------

habbo nl is muted too

my guess all are

[Recursion]

Everyone on Habbo's a paedo obviously

[MKR&*42]

LOL yeah, my mate just told me this happened.

It's cause of loads of people fussing over the pedo thing and saying Habbo'll be shut down blah blah blah. Channel 4 does wonders for the site :rolleyes:

[Absently]

DA SITE IS IN TURMOIL, i'm not even able to tell everyone how much i'm enjoying my sweets :(

[xxMATTGxx]

Anyone tried any other hotels? I know Dave. tried Habbo.nl and they can't speak on there as well.

[DPS]

everyone has been MUTED LMAO!

[Mark]

How strange, prob an update they're doing idk

[Cool--]

HABBO IN CRISIS. Lol seriously, this is a really bad day for Habbo. If this is their way of stopping the story spreading, that's a pathetic decision.

[garriet]

this is stupid, they should be more prepared for this, and find a better way to sort any problems they have out - they could have at least notified us.

what a great way to lose customers, well done sulake.

[GoldenMerc]

how strange...

[xxMATTGxx]

This seems to be happening on any Hotel from what's being reported :P

[geo]

sexy talk has obviously multiplied since the report hahahaha.
habbo breaking down and taking it down on everyone. rip x

[iBlueBox]

Silence WILL FALL!

[MKR&*42]

This is a shame, interrupted my cyber session on PM :l. Oh wait, can still PM without invites ;)

[xxMATTGxx]

Paul LaFontaine via Twitter:


Habbos, I will have an announcement about the global mute shortly. Be patient and we will continue to keep you updated.

https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212633934104760321

[Headwire]

Paul from twitter:



https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212633934104760321

This should be interesting.... I think they may be adding a few words to their filter :P

[GoldenMerc]

Paul LaFontaine via Twitter:



https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212633934104760321

swear your a robot i was about to post that, wonder what it'l be. 1 minuite silence for when C4 ripped the crap into Habbo

[Mathew]

Err... why are people saying Habbo is closing for 4 days / 2 weeks? :P

[Jordan]

Habbos, I will have an announcement about the global mute shortly. Be patient and we will continue to keep you updated.

Interesting for an explanation I suppose.

----

I don't know if it's true but apparently Puffin has said Habbo will be closed for a short amount of time and that that will be explained in the announcement.

[Mark]

I swear he looks like the devil... Probs gonna kill us all like he's killing habbo
https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/2301388582/9ud1lyhe1h34g9l9r0hq.jpeg

[GoldenMerc]

I swear he looks like the devil... Probs gonna kill us all like he's killing habbo
https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/2301388582/9ud1lyhe1h34g9l9r0hq.jpeg

leave it out that combover pulls girls mark!

[Headwire]

Err... why are people saying Habbo is closing for 4 days / 2 weeks? :P

Major investor withdraws funding and then Sulake close the Hotel for days/weeks, I doubt it :P

[xxMATTGxx]

Major investor withdraws funding and then Sulake close the Hotel for days/weeks, I doubt it :P

I doubt funding is an issue.

[Headwire]

I doubt funding is an issue.

Of course it is! A company that has spent the last year/months making cutbacks and then looses millions and the faith of its board isnt going to be thought of very highly.

[Sharon]

Has this been posted? Cba checking, an investor has pulled out now form Habbo..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763

[GoldenMerc]

Of course it is! A company that has spent the last year/months making cutbacks and then looses millions and the faith of its board isnt going to be thought of very highly.

Course its not, there a multi million pound company. It is a issue correct, but a major issue of course not.

[Lee]

Stuck on the session timeout page no matter what I try, no logging in for mwa!

[xxMATTGxx]

Of course it is! A company that has spent the last year/months making cutbacks and then looses millions and the faith of its board isnt going to be thought of very highly.

They only had 13% - It really isn't that much and I'm sure Sulake have far more investors.

[Grig]

It's an issue. Considering that a government investigation will now also open on them.

Investors don't want to be affiliated with stuff like this. I expect more to withdraw later.

[Lewis]

any updates?

[SorryDude]

Paul LaFontaine via Twitter: "Habbos, I will have an announcement about the global mute shortly. Be patient and we will continue to keep you updated."

[scottish]

Has this been posted? Cba checking, an investor has pulled out now form Habbo..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763

only 3 times.

[Mark]

According to 650c; Paul announced on his blog the hotel is closing for 4 days? Anyone got a link?

[Velma.]

I thought it was just me LMFAO!

[Alba]

Wow. This is awesome. So many kids raging over it.

What the hells all these protest rooms about? Are people deluded to think that the higher ups are going to listen?

So many questions, so little answers.

[Sharon]

only 3 times.
shut up -rep

[Futz]

http://i45.tinypic.com/2q83ss7.jpg

The pools finally closed...

[Mathew]

Yes it's a knock-back, but it's hardly going to make Sulake suffer. They've been in the press numerous times before and they always manage to regain strength. When I was reading the comments on a site earlier, most people accepted the fact that it's an extremely difficult situation for Sulake to be in and there isn't much they can do to change it all now. It's Channel 4 blowing something WAY out of proportion and making a huge unfair generalisation.

I do feel pretty sorry for Paul LaFo at the minute though! Eagerly awaiting this announcement.

44 users browsing this thread lol... awww aren't we cute? :P

[geo]

bring back bobba x

meh, i hope they don't filter words like skype and msn and stuff omg :(
i hope something good happens because of this, and surely they should just put it on maint. rather than this ****

[Velma.]

I swear he looks like the devil... Probs gonna kill us all like he's killing habbo
https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/2301388582/9ud1lyhe1h34g9l9r0hq.jpeg


he looks more like the Pedophile...

[Mark]

Yes it's a knock-back, but it's hardly going to make Sulake suffer. They've been in the press numerous times before and they always manage to regain strength. When I was reading the comments on a site earlier, most people accepted the fact that it's an extremely difficult situation for Sulake to be in and there isn't much they can do to change it all now. It's Channel 4 blowing something WAY out of proportion and making a huge unfair generalisation.

I do feel pretty sorry for Paul LaFo at the minute though! Eagerly awaiting this announcement.

44 users browsing this thread lol... awww aren't we cute? :P

I certainly don't feel sorry for him, he's a bit of a ***. Meanwhile, let's all lol at mathew's sig!

[GoldenMerc]

I certainly don't feel sorry for him, he's a bit of a ***. Meanwhile, let's all lol at mathew's sig!

the video, or the link to some wierd persons blog thats lame as hell :P
Nah Paul seem's alright, remember he's a CEO prob being paid £100,000 onwards a year, I imagine his time is extremely limited and he is willing to spend it on customers (I guess is the word) and trying to solve a problem as fast as possible.

[David]

having a great little gather on habbo.nl

http://icap.me/i/a5dpERUs6W.png

[MKR&*42]

I told him to consider updating the filter whilst the channel 4 thing was on ( i rlly hope everyone isn't muted cause of that LOL) and i imagine a lot of others did because the filtering system is poor. I genuinely feel sorry for everyone in Sulake at this moment (this is probably the only time I will), Channel 4 did an unfair attack on them when they could have simply discretely complained about it to the government about sites IN GENERAL.

I'll go on second life now and probably be asked for cyber in 5 mins without going to a specific place for it tbf (i'm not sure how it works tbh).

[Mark]

having a great little gather on habbo.nl

http://icap.me/i/a5dpERUs6W.png

wtf, they have better torches than us!!!

[GoldenMerc]

Filter system will get more triggers added, then the whole thing will pass away

[Mathew]

I certainly don't feel sorry for him, he's a bit of a ***. Meanwhile, let's all lol at mathew's sig!

Some of the stuff he comes out with is ridiculous but it's a pretty bad day at the office considering his name and face is going global. Any guesses on how many newspapers report on this story tomorrow? :D

In the meantime, here are some beavers:

http://chzgifs.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/funny-gifs-carrots-are-great.gif

[SorryDude]

My opinion and very close to a fact..
The British government don't know how there teens act.


Channel 4 discovered sexually explicit messages on Habbo within minutes of logging on to the site. Among the messages discovered were: *REMOVED*

The first quote: "*REMOVED*”

It's an obvious joke. Kidding around having a good time and laugh on Habbo. The second 2 not so much cannot really be for sure 100%.
Point is, Who were these quotes said by, norms or VIPs? We all know at a majority or the time, it does make a difference. If it's a norm most likely someone seriously seeking. Yet, were these quotes from Channel 4 also quoted as the Habbo player said it.

It's gone too extreme and to an extent that in unacceptable.

Posting a pole to go along with this.

Edited by Martin (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not post inappropriately or avoid the forum filter!.

Threads merged by Jordan (Forum Super Moderator): As both on the same topic

[Headwire]

I told him to consider updating the filter whilst the channel 4 thing was on ( i rlly hope everyone isn't muted cause of that LOL) and i imagine a lot of others did because the filtering system is poor. I genuinely feel sorry for everyone in Sulake at this moment (this is probably the only time I will), Channel 4 did an unfair attack on them when they could have simply discretely complained about it to the government about sites IN GENERAL.

I'll go on second life now and probably be asked for cyber in 5 mins without going to a specific place for it tbf (i'm not sure how it works tbh).

Agree with most of this! Habbo seemed singled out when the article could have focused more on social networking and its problems as a whole.

[Storking]

Forums have been blocked off too? I can't view any threads..

[MKR&*42]

wtf, they have better torches than us!!!

It was part of a campaign a month ago, forgot away. Maybe the Dubbel Friss campaign? (that's still ongoing though so idk). They'll be gone in 5 days though mark lmfao.

Genuinely eager about newspapers tomorrow now.

---

And yeah, I can't view forum threads either. Oh dear. Sulake just shut the site until we can all go back on unmuted and with access to forums? It's rlly boring atm xD

[..:lukeachu:..]

A few Minutes ago I witnessed just one of the rooms against the Habbo Sex Scandal Accusations that Channel 4 News and other news companies have been discussing. There have been rumors of Habbo may be closing down because of this, though non of it is believed to be true. http://i46.tinypic.com/2z9fz29.jpg

Here is the Link to the News Report: http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/06/12/habbo-caught-up-in-child-sex-scandal-main-investor-runs-for-the-hills-ceo-pledges-to-tighten-security/

Here is what Mathew (Events Manager) Had to say about it:
"It was a terribly biased report and pictured habbo in quite an extremely negative light. those rooms are only a minority and it was a huge, unfair generalization."

Sulake have not yet replied to the accusations but may be doing in future.
Please give me your ideas and comments on the Habbo Sex scandal bellow.
Thanks,
.:lukeachu:.

Threads merged by Martin (Forum Super Moderator): Since this thread already discusses this topic.

[Mathew]

It was part of a campaign a month ago, forgot away. Maybe the Dubbel Friss campaign? (that's still ongoing though so idk). They'll be gone in 5 days though mark lmfao.

Genuinely eager about newspapers tomorrow now.

omg it's almost as if they knew the torches would come in handy!! :O!

hahaha it would be funny if Roxy's hotel was in The Sun.

[Mark]

I doubt the newspapers will have anything front page lol, maybe just a small article somewhere.

[LoveToStack]

It's a bit crap that the only source of information is a Twitter account. I can't help but think that times were much better when the staff were an integrated part of the community, the homepage wasn't static for months on end and status alerts were posted via the client rather than sourced from some out of touch CEO on an external site.

[Xedia]

This is B.S. I can't even : Pickall my room. -.-

[xxMATTGxx]

Update:


Habbos, due to the challenging behavior of a few users we have decided to mute the site and will update you when we have more information.

https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212640159529840641

[Vause]

rip habbo xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[MKR&*42]

omg it's almost as if they knew the torches would come in handy!! :O!

hahaha it would be funny if Roxy's hotel was in The Sun.

Haha, yeah my friend kept saying this is why they updated the Habbo Way a few days ago - cause Sulake predicted they'd get into **** ;).

----

Also, Samanfa; Says you can speak if you play SnowStorm lmfao.

[Mathew]

Keep it open, obviously. It's been taken out of proportion... but it has nothing to do with whether you're "norm" or "VIP"...

[Cool--]

CEOs latest tweet: "Habbos, due to the challenging behavior of a few users we have decided to mute the site and will update you when we have more information."

Hmm, strange. Don't see why this should lead to a Hotel wide mute?

[CrazyLemurs]

Erm
I can easily believe these comments were posted and Channel 4 hasn't out-of-contexted them (if they possibly could :P) and I don't think Habbo, which earns Sulake vast amount of money, should close due to them.
How about Sulake rethink their filter policy, such as a permanent sexual explicitness filter rather than one that can be turned off? Or maybe instant bans after mentioning certain touchy topics?

[Storking]

So EVERYONE gets punished because of the "challenging behaviour of a few users", this is so ridiculously unprofessional.

[Grig]

It's a bit crap that the only source of information is a Twitter account. I can't help but think that times were much better when the staff were an integrated part of the community, the homepage wasn't static for months on end and status alerts were posted via the client rather than sourced from some out of touch CEO on an external site.

This I fully agree with. They have been digging themselves a bigger hole for years now.

[Jarkie]

No doubt that all they're doing is updating the filter system, and a few other things.

But only time will tell. RIP habbo x

[MKR&*42]

If you had gone in Hotel Public Rooms, you would have seen the links to the channel 4 article and other articles being spammed everywhere. Every room I went in people kept saying they were pedos or w.e. I think they've muted us to stop people from linking to those articles and driving users away ;)

[Headwire]

Also, @Samanfa (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=68263); Says you can speak if you play SnowStorm lmfao.

Yup, works

[GoldenMerc]

I want a badge;
"I survived the Channel 4 Peodo Boycott"

[Mathew]

It's a bit crap that the only source of information is a Twitter account. I can't help but think that times were much better when the staff were an integrated part of the community, the homepage wasn't static for months on end and status alerts were posted via the client rather than sourced from some out of touch CEO on an external site.
Rubbish isn't it?! Been saying this ever since they started with the whole social networking malarky.


This is B.S. I can't even : Pickall my room. -.-
LOLOL, the national media are moaning about paedophiles, sex scandals and shareholders whilst you're more concerned about not being able to pickall your room. Cute!! ;)


Haha, yeah my friend kept saying this is why they updated the Habbo Way a few days ago - cause Sulake predicted they'd get into **** ;).
Hahaha, it all seems a little too coincidental, don't you think?! :P


CEOs latest tweet: "Habbos, due to the challenging behavior of a few users we have decided to mute the site and will update you when we have more information."

Hmm, strange. Don't see why this lead to a Hotel wide mute?
Challenging behaviour of a "few" users. Ban them then. Dear me.

[Shar]

awkward moment when habbo hotel is trending on twitter..down with habbo ahaha.
it'll be interesting to see what happens, how ironic is it that suddenly theres more users on habbo then there usually is

[Mathew]

Wow. This is awesome. So many kids raging over it.

What the hells all these protest rooms about? Are people deluded to think that the higher ups are going to listen?

So many questions, so little answers.

Considering they're teenagers on a game which has just hit the news, I think they're just messing around rather than having any formal intention of contacting higher management! :P

[Jarkie]

http://i45.tinypic.com/2q83ss7.jpg

The pools finally closed...

This has just made my day aha, rep+

[Storking]

If you had gone in Hotel Public Rooms, you would have seen the links to the channel 4 article and other articles being spammed everywhere. Every room I went in people kept saying they were pedos or w.e. I think they've muted us to stop people from linking to those articles and driving users away ;)

Maybe they should have stopped allowing teenagers to so freely partake in cyber sex on Habbo many months ago then this would never have been escalated..

The new adverts were based on "dating", which usually leads to cyber sex on Habbo and the featured room update which promoted those cyber sex rooms 24/7 were kept even after users complained about them.

They deserve everything they get for allowing this crap for so long!

[Vause]

okay to everyone.
be safe out there
ya'know
after habbo and wot not

[Jurv]

i've only just realised that it wasn't just me that was muted (A)

[Grig]

awkward moment when habbo hotel is trending on twitter..down with habbo ahaha.
it'll be interesting to see what happens, how ironic is it that suddenly theres more users on habbo then there usually is

as they say, any publicity is good publicity.

this is short term though.

Bet Paul the Pedophile has wet himself 5 times over and is having an emergency board meeting now.

[Michael]

If Habbo did close, would HABBOxforum, be called Habboxforum? :P

[David]

i've only just realised that it wasn't just me that was muted (A)

lol catch up jurvy

[GoldenMerc]

If Habbo did close, would HABBOxforum, be called Habboxforum? :P
Be called GoldenForum

[David]

If Habbo did close, would HABBOxforum, be called Habboxforum? :P

moving to kazo park

kazoxforum

[Cool--]

Sulake are dealing with this is a dreadful way. Instead of trying hide the problem by muting every single Habbo, they should be addressing the core problems - improving the filter system, sorting out the moderation.

Muting won't fix this, it's just utterly pointless. Oh, Sulake.

[MKR&*42]

Maybe they should have stopped allowing teenagers to so freely partake in cyber sex on Habbo many months ago then this would never have been escalated..

The new adverts were based on "dating", which usually leads to cyber sex on Habbo and the featured room update which promoted those cyber sex rooms 24/7 were kept even after users complained about them.

They deserve everything they get for allowing this crap for so long!

The whole dating thing is the one thing I actually agree with on this whole issue. Sulake advertised dating to get more users and is was ultimately a stupid move. In the past few days, I've had tonnes of help requests about dating on the hotel and if you could do cyber-sex - it seems to be people's first intentions once they sign up if they've been drawn in by "dating".

They ban people for it and they don't allow cyber sex, they need to INCREASE moderation but I've never found a big problem with people not getting banned for cyber sex this past yr? Every time I've reported someone for it genuinely they get banned lol. There just needs to be more to control the issue in other rooms and on PMs. Maybe if MODs actually used the game and spoke fluent English.. :l

Paul LaFontaine is probably dying right now, he's only been here for about 8 months so if anyone is to majorly blame for poor moderation, it's the old CEO (Aapo something wasn't it?) although Paul should have done something quicker :P

[David]

Sulake are dealing with this is a dreadful way. Instead of trying hide the problem by muting every single Habbo, they should be addressing the core problems - improving the filter system, sorting out the moderation.

Muting won't fix this, it's just utterly pointless. Oh, Sulake.

Muting is short term, not permanent...

[Cool--]

Muting is short term, not permanent...

I know, but it's pointless - they're just trying to hide the story.

[GoldenMerc]

The whole dating thing is the one thing I actually agree with on this whole issue. Sulake advertised dating to get more users and is was ultimately a stupid move. In the past few days, I've had tonnes of help requests about dating on the hotel and if you could do cyber-sex - it seems to be people's first intentions once they sign up if they've been drawn in by "dating".

They ban people for it and they don't allow cyber sex, they need to INCREASE moderation but I've never found a big problem with people not getting banned for cyber sex this past yr? Every time I've reported someone for it genuinely they get banned lol. There just needs to be more to control the issue in other rooms and on PMs. Maybe if MODs actually used the game and spoke fluent English.. :l

Paul LaFontaine is probably dying right now, he's only been here for about 8 months so if anyone is to majorly blame for poor moderation, it's the old CEO (Aapo something wasn't it?) although Paul should have done something quicker :P

Osma was old CEO, Aapo was the founder of Habbo Hotel.
People are still blaming this whole situation on Paul, this issue hasn't just came, moderator's have been utter crap for years!

[David]

I know, but it's pointless - they're just trying to hide the story.

hardly, the general habbo will be googling to find out why the hotel is muted and find numerous reasons - one being the recent news on channel 4.

[MKR&*42]

Osma was old CEO, Aapo was the founder of Habbo Hotel.
People are still blaming this whole situation on Paul, this issue hasn't just came, moderator's have been utter crap for years!

Oh oops, I knew I'd probably get him confused with someone else :(.

I really don't see why they haven't expanded moderation tbh, if they have the money to create Habbo.com.tr and add moderators to there, why can't there be more on .com?

[Storking]

I don't think the filter is to blame, if a moderator has the time to click a reply saying "Ignore the user", then surely they could spend a few extra seconds reading the chatlogs and banning these kids/adults having cyber sex. That's if they can even read english. :rolleyes:

[GoldenMerc]

Its not expanding, there hiring outsourced moderators from Countrys that don't have a min wage, unlike UK and US where theres a minimal level of a wage they hire people they can pay £0.50 per hour, instead of £5.60 onwards.

Making more hotels means higher profit, keep wages low, means more profit

[MKR&*42]

I don't think the filter is to blame, if a moderator has the time to click a reply saying "Ignore the user", then surely they could spend a few extra seconds reading the chatlogs and banning these kids/adults having cyber sex. That's if they can even read english. :rolleyes:

The filter is to blame in regards to people who have it on (new players generally). They probably wouldn't be able to continue their cyber session if they knew it was bloody impossible to avoid the filter. It really is quite poor, I can just add an i... to the nickname of Richard... and get away with it. I can say se% and get away with it xD.
GoldenMerc; Fair point tbh. I completely forgot about the minimum wage in other countries :L

[Shar]

habbo doesn't give a **** about the safety of their uses all they want is profit

[Xedia]

Just a quick question, How are torches going to save this? |-)
http://i.imgur.com/Ut9nC.png

It's nice to see frank still blabbering on though :)

[GoldenMerc]

The filter isn't to blame at all, actually in my eyes i'd only have a filter to say "Please do not" not to punish, as then it can be at fault. Use human moderators to actually moderate.

[MKR&*42]

Just a quick question, How are torches going to save this? |-)
http://i.imgur.com/Ut9nC.png

It's nice to see frank still blabbering on though :)

LOL wow. I bet that's happening in every hotel tbf. Aww at that person with the Pod Effect.

[Lew]

Sulake are so bad, ngl.

[GoldenMerc]

That's a really good image actually, should make a 1 minuite silence skin xxMATTGxx;
il make you one even, we can use that as the banner haha!

[Headwire]

A few people on twitter posting stuff like this, Sulake are going to have to issue a more detailed statement than refusing to be interviewed on the news and instead replying by twitter.

Rev. Paul Farnhill ‏@RevPaulCA (https://twitter.com/#!/RevPaulCA)
.@johnprescott (https://twitter.com/#!/johnprescott) eh up John, fancy helping close a firm that puts profit in front of kids safety? Give @WHSnithcouk (https://twitter.com/#!/WHSnithcouk) a nudge about Habbocards.

[xxMATTGxx]

That's a really good image actually, should make a 1 minuite silence skin xxMATTGxx;
il make you one even, we can use that as the banner haha!

Get making then!

[Mathew]

It really is quite poor, I can just add an i... to the nickname of Richard... and get away with it. I can say se% and get away with it xD.
You seem to be knowledgeable in this area of Habbo. Are you dodgy? :O!!!!!!

In other news, it's nice to see so many old faces from HxF logging on again! :D

[Xedia]

Aww at that person with the Pod Effect.

LOLL!!

[GoldenMerc]

Get making then!

Give me a small space server and il install my vb xo

[MKR&*42]

You seem to be knowledgeable in this area of Habbo. Are you dodgy? :O!!!!!!

In other news, it's nice to see so many old faces from HxF logging on again! :D

You'll never know what goes on behind closed doors ;) Why do you think me and Alex (your EO) are such good friends xx

[Grig]

You seem to be knowledgeable in this area of Habbo. Are you dodgy? :O!!!!!!

In other news, it's nice to see so many old faces from HxF logging on again! :D

we have a thread in news to discuss pedophiles and how to get away with it

By "more info soon" I assume this is going to be ongoing for hours. It's basically been a build-up, with the strategy Habbz has been employing, coupled with the changes of filter, moderation and whatnot. This was a very minor problem say in 2007.

[Mathew]

A few people on twitter posting stuff like this, Sulake are going to have to issue a more detailed statement than refusing to be interviewed on the news and instead replying by twitter.

Rev. Paul Farnhill ‏@RevPaulCA (https://twitter.com/#%21/RevPaulCA)
.@johnprescott (https://twitter.com/#%21/johnprescott) eh up John, fancy helping close a firm that puts profit in front of kids safety? Give @WHSnithcouk (https://twitter.com/#%21/WHSnithcouk) a nudge about Habbocards.
His whole Twitter feed is filled with childish attempts to fuel the whole situation. He's clearly a moron.

Although... I did find this:
Tesco Customer Care ‏@UKTesco (https://twitter.com/#%21/UKTesco) @RevPaulCA (https://twitter.com/#%21/RevPaulCA) Hello Paul, we have taken the decision to remove the Habbo Hotel Giftcard from sale.



You'll never know what goes on behind closed doors ;) Why do you think me and Alex (your EO) are such good friends xx
LOLOL... well, that explains a lot!

[GoldenMerc]

You'll never know what goes on behind closed doors ;) Why do you think me and Alex (your EO) are such good friends xx

Anyone in EO dept is creepy, just cos there managed my Mathew, king of creeps.
Never the less, do they want to lose more money? No one can talk? How the hell do they expect people to buy credits...

[Xedia]

What I don't get is, the reporter that went on Habbo for 2 months was posing as an 11 year old girl. If your going to pose
as anyone, at least make them within the age range of the target audience.

[MKR&*42]

His whole Twitter feed is filled with childish attempts to fuel the whole situation. He's clearly a moron.

Although... I did find this:
Tesco Customer Care ‏@UKTesco (https://twitter.com/#%21/UKTesco) @RevPaulCA (https://twitter.com/#%21/RevPaulCA) Hello Paul, we have taken the decision to remove the Habbo Hotel Giftcard from sale.



LOLOL... well, that explains a lot!

;] Alex is only 1 on my huge list of s£x1 pe0pl€ ooft. Should see what I post in content spam. And yeah Grig lectures us on how to be pedos :l.
GoldenMerc; I'm trying to get him to resign :ll :(

[Grig]

wait so, this is srs they are removing those cards. Seems like blow after blow for Sulake!

[Cool--]

A few people on twitter posting stuff like this, Sulake are going to have to issue a more detailed statement than refusing to be interviewed on the news and instead replying by twitter.

Rev. Paul Farnhill ‏@RevPaulCA (https://twitter.com/#%21/RevPaulCA)
.@johnprescott (https://twitter.com/#%21/johnprescott) eh up John, fancy helping close a firm that puts profit in front of kids safety? Give @WHSnithcouk (https://twitter.com/#%21/WHSnithcouk) a nudge about Habbocards.
Lol, how weird, that person follows me :s

Should probably expect more of this, especially after the papers tomorrow.

[GommeInc]

Pfft, hope Habbo is closed down. It's a joke. They're under prepared and do not know what to do anymore. They act too quickly on people who are having a laugh and too slowly on actual, criminal concerns, so those who are genuinely good are being bombarded by pointless moderations, and then you get the extreme concerns like paedophilia. It's not going to work in this day and age, it's difficult to moderate in it's current form - they may as well close up shop and save themselves lawsuits in the future. They hire great apes for moderators and staff, they do not understand what an online community actual is and they do not know how to properly advise their users.

It's a huge waste of money as well, virtual furniture which costs far too much is not really good economics :P

EDIT: What source did you use anyway? There's a BBC article on the matter for those wanting something to read:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763

[GoldenMerc]

What I don't get is, the reporter that went on Habbo for 2 months was posing as an 11 year old girl. If your going to pose
as anyone, at least make them within the age range of the target audience.
But they said, she got approached every time she logged on.. I mean i've been playing Habbo since 02' yeh i haven't pretended to be a girl but i've never seen so much "lets get it on" and stuff, yeh you see the odd lot of noobs playing in bed but what they were saying never seen that at all!

[Smurfed-]

You'll never know what goes on behind closed doors ;) Why do you think me and Alex (your EO) are such good friends xx

oi, you're getting me a bad reputation. :( It's been over an hour now omg.

[Storking]

Although... I did find this:
Tesco Customer Care ‏@UKTesco (https://twitter.com/#%21/UKTesco) @RevPaulCA (https://twitter.com/#%21/RevPaulCA) Hello Paul, we have taken the decision to remove the Habbo Hotel Giftcard from sale.

Oh dear!

WHSmith will probably do the same.

Habbo has no choice but to change their moderation standards now - (AT LAST!!).

[Jarkie]

What I don't get is, the reporter that went on Habbo for 2 months was posing as an 11 year old girl. If your going to pose
as anyone, at least make them within the age range of the target audience.

I agree. C4 news report was so bias.
Its times like this I miss habbo hallways riots...

[..:lukeachu:..]

Why have they muted us, is because of the Sex Scandal?
Here's the Channel 4 News report: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid601325122001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAEabvr4~,Wtd2HT-p_Vh4qBcIZDrvZlvNCU8nxccG&bctid=1686028204001

[Grig]

But they said, she got approached every time she logged on.. I mean i've been playing Habbo since 02' yeh i haven't pretended to be a girl but i've never seen so much "lets get it on" and stuff, yeh you see the odd lot of noobs playing in bed but what they were saying never seen that at all!

She chose specific rooms. So anything with dodgy names like strip clubs. Would she have gone to other types or rooms and categories, this wouldn't have happened.

[GoldenMerc]

Swear who the hell would buy those Habbo cards anyway, if i see them in the shop i go the other side of the shop. just pure awkward

[MKR&*42]

oi, you're getting me a bad reputation. :( It's been over an hour now omg.

The truth hurts, Sulake will tell u all about that ;) x

+ LOL, I've had 1 of those cards bought FOR ME before :(. Not even going to say anymore 'cause I was just dying with embarasment.

[Smurfed-]

His whole Twitter feed is filled with childish attempts to fuel the whole situation. He's clearly a moron.

Although... I did find this:
Tesco Customer Care ‏@UKTesco (https://twitter.com/#%21/UKTesco) @RevPaulCA (https://twitter.com/#%21/RevPaulCA) Hello Paul, we have taken the decision to remove the Habbo Hotel Giftcard from sale.

Oh dear, I can't imagine the looks I would get if I went in to WHSmith tomorrow to buy one :L

[xxMATTGxx]

Thought I would link you to the tweet where Tesco say they have removed the cards:

https://twitter.com/UKTesco/status/212630145675165696

[Xedia]

Can't wait for the price of credits to go up! That or the amount of credits you get to go down.

[xxMATTGxx]

Habbos I am saddened but believe it is right to mute all while we continue to investigate. I’ll be sure to update you when I can. #Habbo

https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212648601501974529

[Storking]

She chose specific rooms. So anything with dodgy names like strip clubs. Would she have gone to other types or rooms and categories, this wouldn't have happened.

But those rooms should not be tolerated at all in the first place. We all know the top rooms usually consist of strip clubs and rooms full of users having cyber sex. If they're targeting at 13 year old kids and not shutting down the rooms after they're reported then that is a huge mistake.

[MKR&*42]

Martin; just found out how I got my card, cries ;[

I bet WHSmith will stop selling soon as well tbh. This whole thing is just going insane. -Goes to the shop at 6am and looks for anything about Habbo in the newspapers ;/).

[Jordan]

Habbos I am saddened but believe it is right to mute all while we continue to investigate. I'll be sure to update you when I can. #Habbo

Who knows how long the investigation could take. I don't see it being a quick one! So we could be left muted for some time?

[GoldenMerc]

Why doesn't it just go down for maintenice or what ever for a hour or so, more annoying right now

[Xedia]

But those rooms should not be tolerated at all in the first place. We all know the top rooms usually consist of strip clubs and rooms full of users having cyber sex. If they're targeting at 13 year old kids and not shutting down the rooms after they're reported then that is a huge mistake.

IMO, there shouldn't even be a date category. This encourages people to create rooms like strip clubs and what not.

[Lew]

Pfft, hope Habbo is closed down. It's a joke. They're under prepared and do not know what to do anymore. They act too quickly on people who are having a laugh and too slowly on actual, criminal concerns, so those who are genuinely good are being bombarded by pointless moderations, and then you get the extreme concerns like paedophilia. It's not going to work in this day and age, it's difficult to moderate in it's current form - they may as well close up shop and save themselves lawsuits in the future. They hire great apes for moderators and staff, they do not understand what an online community actual is and they do not know how to properly advise their users.

It's a huge waste of money as well, virtual furniture which costs far too much is not really good economics :P

EDIT: What source did you use anyway? There's a BBC article on the matter for those wanting something to read:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1vjolmYQ1qzbl7f.gif

Edited by Matts (Forum Moderator): Please don't post pointlessly, thanks!

[Storking]

https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/212648601501974529


What is there to investigate? I think it's pretty simple to tell their moderators to start taking serious action against people having cyber sex and closing down EVERY room that promotes stripping and sex. After all, the moderators only follow the commands from the people above (user safety managers and then people like Paul).

[Michael]

'Responsible parents will always take the time to seek out what is best for their children and not believe one source.'

[MKR&*42]

Oh please, just filter "channel 4" Sulake. I will genuinely laugh my head off if they decided to do that.

[iBlueBox]

It's like we've all been put on the naughty step.

[Mathew]

Anyone in EO dept is creepy, just cos there managed my Mathew, king of creeps.
Never the less, do they want to lose more money? No one can talk? How the hell do they expect people to buy credits...
excuse me wow you're getting too big for your boots!! ;l


What I don't get is, the reporter that went on Habbo for 2 months was posing as an 11 year old girl. If your going to pose
as anyone, at least make them within the age range of the target audience.
Haha, it's just stupid. They clearly went on with the intention to expose something like this... I assume their viewing figures were suffering.. :P
Welcome to HxF, by the way!


;] Alex is only 1 on my huge list of s£x1 pe0pl€ ooft. Should see what I post in content spam. And yeah Grig lectures us on how to be pedos :l.
@GoldenMerc (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=26925); I'm trying to get him to resign :ll :(
ewwww... it will only be a matter of time until Channel 4 are knocking on your forum door.


oi, you're getting me a bad reputation. :( It's been over an hour now omg.
it's already bad? :S:S ;)


+ LOL, I've had 1 of those cards bought FOR ME before :(. Not even going to say anymore 'cause I was just dying with embarasment.
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.


Oh dear, I can't imagine the looks I would get if I went in to WHSmith tomorrow to buy one :L
Imagine if Channel 4 exposed the amount you've spent.... :O... I went there..


Thought I would link you to the tweet where Tesco say they have removed the cards:

https://twitter.com/UKTesco/status/212630145675165696
Look what that RevPaul said ughh.... tedious little man.
.@UKTesco (https://twitter.com/UKTesco) Well done you. Every little helps. ;)

---------- Post added 12-06-2012 at 10:01 PM ----------


@Martin (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=55726); just found out how I got my card, cries ;[

I bet WHSmith will stop selling soon as well tbh. This whole thing is just going insane. -Goes to the shop at 6am and looks for anything about Habbo in the newspapers ;/).
Care to share how you got it? ;)

I wonder if Habbo gift cards will be reduced in price tomorrow!!!! omg!! yeah pls look in the newspapers and post photos!!


IMO, there shouldn't even be a date category. This encourages people to create rooms like strip clubs and what not.
agreed!!


It's like we've all been put on the naughty step.
Your message abut Kim Jong DirtiBoii was fantastic, hahahaha.

[Michael]

'Minimail is currently under maintenance. Please try again later.'

Minimails down.

[Xedia]

Oh please, just filter "channel 4" Sulake. I will genuinely laugh my head off if they decided to do that.

The BBC chipped in as well. It's only a matter of time till ITV get their hands on this as well :L



Welcome to HxF, by the way!

Thanks for the warm welcome :)