2y ago

How safe is Lemmy?

Overall, I really like Lemmy, and the communities therein. There do seem to be some more radical takes on this platform than I'm used to. I haven't heard of anyone being swatted or anything like that on here (or even actively doxxed), but there do seem to be more radical takes that what I'm used to on other platforms. I generally don't engage with those groups. I'm just here for the memes, and to share my knowledge on topics I like. I don't want to have to worry much about some bored, idealistic shitlord taking offense and going out of their way to nuke me.

As a new motorhead, how carefully do I need to tread, compared to other platforms? I ask, because it seems like posts on here are cast to a much broader network.

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Everything you do here is public, including votes.
- I was discussing this in another thread, this is a bit of an overstatement.
  While logs may track what you view on some instances, the data on who views what is not public and not accessible to anyone except perhaps some instance admins depending on how they store logs.
  Votes are public on Lemmy, and I think long term that’ll be beneficial for the platform and users.
  
  With any online system, assume all interactions are tracked and will be made public in the near future.
  It isn't necessarily true now but it's really hard for you to verify. Even if it's true now, it could change without you knowing.
- How do you see what people voted on and how they voted?
  
  Only server admins can see votes I think so not really public.
  
  It's not displayed in the Lemmy UI but is in the database and can be displayed on other Fediverse UIs e.g. Kbin.
It's whatever you want it to be.
In general, people on the fediverse are pretty chill and not hateful, but there are instances full of genocide deniers or literal white supremacists.
Thing is though, each instance moderates differently and your experience varies depending on where you are.
For example, beehaw.org (not sure if it's back up) is a very heavily moderated and curated space, and most people there tend to be from marginalised groups. They will federate and defederate accordingly so that experience is preserved.
On the other hand, you have instances such as exploding heads which are "free speech" which attracts the kind of people you expect, and your interactions across the fediverse will follow suit.
Your instance and moderation defines your experience on the fediverse, not the platform.
- That's a good explanation, and the last line is the piece I think I was missing.
Unless you know for certain a connection is end to end encrypted you should always assume everything you are saying could be read by anyone on the planet.
Some average Joe on Lemmy is not likely to have the resources to de-anonymize you based on your internet fingerprints unless of course you state your real full name and other identifying information like your home address somewhere. So the likelihood isn't any higher on Lemmy compared to other platforms.
It might even be more likely on other platforms because they often prod you over and over for personally identifiable information. Google definitely knows who I am and how to find me while Lemmy does not. So a data breach at Google is going to be far worse.
Curious what radical stuff youre seeing, and what platforms youve been on that didnt have it
Lol are you scared of the scary leftist opinions on here?
This isn't 4chan. You'll be fine.
- I'm used to a good amount of "scary" leftist opinions. But someone on lemmygrad said Pol Pot shooting highly educated people in the head was a good thing - right after I said I was an engineer.
  This place is cool but maybe I'll avoid that instance lol
  
  Pretty sure that one and lemmy.ml are just propagate mills.
It's the internet my guy, that can happen on youtube just as easily as here.
- I get that, but more of what I'm asking is based around the general 'vibe' of the fediverse. (big question, I know). Are you all mostly chill, or are you out for blood?
  
  I’m out for blood, but in a chill way.
  
  It's all about your instance. Some instances are heavily moderated and will defederate anyone who is remotely toxic. Others do not. You just need to investigate which instance you join. Larger, more popular ones are going to have a broader demographic so, depending on your tolerances, you may have a greater chance of finding something more offensive. Smaller ones tend to have a more curated approach. Both of these observations are generally the case, but there are always exceptions. You can't really get the vibe of "Lemmy" as a whole (it commonly federates with Kbin servers for instance) or anything else on the fediverse. You need to find an instance that matches your ideals. This is easier said than done. You may even end up finding better ones or finding your current one doesn't serve your needs any longer. So I suggest finding out what type of migration strategy works best for you and migrate if you ever feel the need.
  
  Every instance and community is going to be different. I'd say on average people are more open to varying opinions than Reddit. A just left of center kind of vibe.
  
  blood
swatting
doxxing
What, what groups would you be interacting with that you would be worried about this?
Your safety depends on how curious you are and how far it leads you. You can be considered safe, by being in one solitary place at all times and doing next to nothing. You always risk your safety when you go exploring. There is not a single platform that perfects safety among it's community, with the exception of implementing tools and features that'd at least provide security so that exposure and exploitation is kept at a strict minimum.
The sad reality is, is that, I wouldn't put it past Lemmy for it to contain at least a handful of these bored shitposting edgelords with too much time on their hands. Then again, is it really Lemmy's fault? You're going to come across a band of these people on all walks of the internet, it's just a matter of what volume of them that there is and whether or not it can be regulated and enforced by the community on whether or not they're welcomed.
Maybe try Squabbles, it sounds more like what you're after. It's chill, mostly memes and nice vibes, but it's a bit too nice for me.
- aaaaaand a for-profit focused developer. It's going to introduce ads and a Twitter blue-like subscription model. Don't join this.
  
  It might be what they want though, a lot of people don't care about federation and ads. I'm not one of those people but if they just want pics of dogs, memes and to talk about their day it's more appropriate than lemmy.
It’s very safe. It can’t hurt you.
It might not be perfectly “safe” though. I guess.

40 comments