Cross posted here as it was highlighted that the individual is a lead Lemmy developer, raising serious concerns about the direction of Lemmy, a leading Fediverse platform, and the impact on future user adoption.

Hi

There have been some rather concerning actions taken by an admin of the !privacy@lemmy.ml community, dessalines@lemmy.ml. Based on recent moderation decisions and a complete lack of communication, it seems like their account may have been compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

1. Erroneous Rule 4 Enforcement, First Instance: a guide posted to !privacy@lemmy.ml, despite receiving many positive votes and comments, was removed under Rule 4:

If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered

However, this post was a guide and not a question, so Rule 4 does not apply. Attempts were made to reach out for clarification but there has been no response, despite their account showing recent activity.

2. Erroneous Rule 4 Enforcement, Second Instance: an on-topic informational video also posted to !privacy@lemmy.ml, despite also receiving many positive votes, was again removed under Rule 4. This post was again not asking a question, so again Rule 4 does not apply. Again, no explanation has been given.

3. User Bans in Completely Unrelated Communities: user bans of over a month have been applied for not only !privacy@lemmy.ml but several completely unrelated communities:

• !emacs@lemmy.ml
• !personalfinance@lemmy.ml
• !linux@lemmy.ml
• !lemmy_support@lemmy.ml
• !opensource@lemmy.ml
• !india@lemmy.ml
• !asklemmy@lemmy.ml
• !steam@lemmy.ml
• !linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
• !degoogle@lemmy.ml
• !libre_software@lemmy.ml

This is especially concerning given that the above posts have no relation to these communities, and no recent activity has been made in any of them, meaning none of their rules could have been broken. Moreover, a public track record of positive contributions across Lemmy has been established, with many positive votes and comments received over a sustained period. Given all of this, the bans appear to be highly disproportionate, only adding to the growing concerns around moderation practices.

4. Repost with Disclaimer Removed: a repost of the guide, despite a disclaimer explaining the original removal appears to be in error and that attempts to contact the admin have failed, despite again receiving many positive votes and constructive comments, was once again removed. Again, no explanation has been given.

Given all of this, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that something is not right. Mistakes in moderation happen but the complete lack of communication, the disproportionate actions, and the ongoing bans from unrelated communities raise serious concerns. It seems as though the account is most likely compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues with this admin, or does anyone have more insight into what might be happening?

TL;DR: Admin dessalines@lemmy.ml of !privacy@lemmy.ml appears to be making seriously concerning moderation decisions, including erroneous enforcement of Rule 4 in at least two separate instances, failing to respond to messages, and applying user bans in completely unrelated communities despite a long track record of positive contributions across Lemmy. This has led to speculation that their account is likely compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

Any thoughts or similar experiences would be appreciated.

Cross post with https://lemmy.world/post/43944126

Here since !lemmy_support@lemmy.ml is unavailable as outlined below.

Hi

There have been some rather concerning actions taken by an admin of the !privacy@lemmy.ml community, dessalines@lemmy.ml. Based on recent moderation decisions and a complete lack of communication, it seems like their account may have been compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

1. Erroneous Rule 4 Enforcement, First Instance: a guide posted to !privacy@lemmy.ml, despite receiving many positive votes and comments, was removed under Rule 4:

If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered

However, this post was a guide and not a question, so Rule 4 does not apply. Attempts were made to reach out for clarification but there has been no response, despite their account showing recent activity.

2. Erroneous Rule 4 Enforcement, Second Instance: an on-topic informational video also posted to !privacy@lemmy.ml, despite also receiving many positive votes, was again removed under Rule 4. This post was again not asking a question, so again Rule 4 does not apply. Again, no explanation has been given.

3. User Bans in Completely Unrelated Communities: user bans of over a month have been applied for not only !privacy@lemmy.ml but several completely unrelated communities:

• !emacs@lemmy.ml
• !personalfinance@lemmy.ml
• !linux@lemmy.ml
• !lemmy_support@lemmy.ml
• !opensource@lemmy.ml
• !india@lemmy.ml
• !asklemmy@lemmy.ml
• !steam@lemmy.ml
• !linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
• !degoogle@lemmy.ml
• !libre_software@lemmy.ml

This is especially concerning given that the above posts have no relation to these communities, and no recent activity has been made in any of them, meaning none of their rules could have been broken. Moreover, a public track record of positive contributions across Lemmy has been established, with many positive votes and comments received over a sustained period. Given all of this, the bans appear to be highly disproportionate, only adding to the growing concerns around moderation practices.

4. Repost with Disclaimer Removed: a repost of the guide, despite a disclaimer explaining the original removal appears to be in error and that attempts to contact the admin have failed, despite again receiving many positive votes and constructive comments, was once again removed. Again, no explanation has been given.

Given all of this, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that something is not right. Mistakes in moderation happen but the complete lack of communication, the disproportionate actions, and the ongoing bans from unrelated communities raise serious concerns. It seems as though the account is most likely compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues with this admin, or does anyone have more insight into what might be happening?

TL;DR: Admin dessalines@lemmy.ml of !privacy@lemmy.ml appears to be making seriously concerning moderation decisions, including erroneous enforcement of Rule 4 in at least two separate instances, failing to respond to messages, and applying user bans in completely unrelated communities despite a long track record of positive contributions across Lemmy. This has led to speculation that their account is likely compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

Any thoughts or similar experiences would be appreciated.

Cross post with https://lemmy.world/post/43944126

Here since !lemmy_support@lemmy.ml is unavailable as outlined below.

Hi

There have been some rather concerning actions taken by an admin of the !privacy@lemmy.ml community, dessalines@lemmy.ml. Based on recent moderation decisions and a complete lack of communication, it seems like their account may have been compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

1. Erroneous Rule 4 Enforcement, First Instance: a guide posted to !privacy@lemmy.ml, despite receiving many positive votes and comments, was removed under Rule 4:

If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered

However, this post was a guide and not a question, so Rule 4 does not apply. Attempts were made to reach out for clarification but there has been no response, despite their account showing recent activity.

2. Erroneous Rule 4 Enforcement, Second Instance: an on-topic informational video also posted to !privacy@lemmy.ml, despite also receiving many positive votes, was again removed under Rule 4. This post was again not asking a question, so again Rule 4 does not apply. Again, no explanation has been given.

3. User Bans in Completely Unrelated Communities: user bans of over a month have been applied for not only !privacy@lemmy.ml but several completely unrelated communities:

• !emacs@lemmy.ml
• !personalfinance@lemmy.ml
• !linux@lemmy.ml
• !lemmy_support@lemmy.ml
• !opensource@lemmy.ml
• !india@lemmy.ml
• !asklemmy@lemmy.ml
• !steam@lemmy.ml
• !linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
• !degoogle@lemmy.ml
• !libre_software@lemmy.ml

This is especially concerning given that the above posts have no relation to these communities, and no recent activity has been made in any of them, meaning none of their rules could have been broken. Moreover, a public track record of positive contributions across Lemmy has been established, with many positive votes and comments received over a sustained period. Given all of this, the bans appear to be highly disproportionate, only adding to the growing concerns around moderation practices.

4. Repost with Disclaimer Removed: a repost of the guide, despite a disclaimer explaining the original removal appears to be in error and that attempts to contact the admin have failed, despite again receiving many positive votes and constructive comments, was once again removed. Again, no explanation has been given.

Given all of this, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that something is not right. Mistakes in moderation happen but the complete lack of communication, the disproportionate actions, and the ongoing bans from unrelated communities raise serious concerns. It seems as though the account is most likely compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues with this admin, or does anyone have more insight into what might be happening?

TL;DR: Admin dessalines@lemmy.ml of !privacy@lemmy.ml appears to be making seriously concerning moderation decisions, including erroneous enforcement of Rule 4 in at least two separate instances, failing to respond to messages, and applying user bans in completely unrelated communities despite a long track record of positive contributions across Lemmy. This has led to speculation that their account is likely compromised, or even more concerning if these actions are deliberate.

Any thoughts or similar experiences would be appreciated.

The target account is on Lemmy.world but if there is a better place to post this please let me know.

Cross post with https://lemmy.world/post/43944145

I really don’t get why so many people are turning this into a privacy versus anonymity debate when the real problem is censorship.

Yes, Signal needs a phone number to sign up, but replacing that with an email or username doesn’t make it anonymous. The real issue is that governments are blocking the registration SMS, so people can’t even sign up for the app in the first place.

Sure, there are workarounds, but most people aren’t going to jump through all those extra hoops just to use an app. If we want to spread privacy, how do we do that when Signal's phone number requirement is actively working against us?

Instead of arguing over privacy versus anonymity, shouldn’t we focus on making sure everyone can access Signal without issues? What do you think?

I’ve been seeing this more and more in comments, and it’s got me wondering just how big this issue really is. A lot of people feel trapped in apps like Discord, WhatsApp, and Instagram, but can’t get their friends to leave.

It’s really annoying when you suggest trying something new, whether it’s a different app or just not using these platforms so much but sometimes it can feel like no one wants to go first.

So I’m curious, what apps do you feel most trapped in? And have you tried convincing your friends to leave them? What happened? Is it an issue for you, or are you just going along with the flow?

Looking forward to hearing if this is as common as it feels!

Privacy is multiplayer. So, we must spread it.

To do well, we must fight efficiently.

We cannot waste our lives writing a custom essay against every troll, disinformer and psyop agent.

Short, simple and focused response is vital.

Here is what works for me:

1. I do not care about privacy

• Agreed. We do not control X, scam. Why should we let it abuse us?
• Agreed. X is not libre software, we do not control it, scam. Why should we let it abuse us?
• Agreed. X fails to include a libre software license text file, we do not control it, scam. Why should we let it abuse us?

2. Open source ...

• 'Open source' misses the point of libre software, by design.
• 'Open source' is a blatantly backdoored phrase, engineered to neutralise libre software.

3. Developers [owners] [of anti-libre software] need [to make money] to eat.

• You are not entitled to infect our devices and hijack control over our computing.
• Selling libre software is good.

4. You must read all its source code to guarantee it is safe.

• Blatant lie, who told you to do it alone? lmao
• When it bans us from forking it, we do not control it, guaranteed. lmao

5. Crypto [currency] ...

• Truth nuke, the biggest scam ever made is the $
• Cash will never be more safe [or private] than 12 words in my head (wallet seed phrase).

They cry when companies profit from their work, while ignoring the most blatant solution from the start: the AGPL.

Now, its libre software license text file has been replaced with a fake, banning us users from freely forking new versions.

Open WebUI v0.6.6+ ... now adds a ... branding ... clause.

The original BSD-3 license continues to apply for all contributions made to the codebase up to and including release v0.6.5.

Peer-to-peer as it's easier to get an app over getting a server. Must be libre software and E2EE too, obviously.

Example, WhatsApp, use the whole 25 character profile name limit:

Bob Moved To Signal.org
Alice MovedTo Signal.org
CharlieMovedTo Signal.org

Say Signal.org, not Signal, so they see it is an app.

Use your about section too.

Same on Discord, Steam, Instagram, everywhere.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28493612

Open WebUI lets you download and run large language models (LLMs) on your device using Ollama.

Install Ollama

See this guide: https://lemmy.world/post/27013201

Install Docker (recommended Open WebUI installation method)

1. Open Console, type the following command and press return. This may ask for your password but not show you typing it.

sudo pacman -S docker

2. Enable the Docker service [on-device and runs in the background] to start with your device and start it now.

sudo systemctl enable --now docker

3. Allow your current user to use Docker.

sudo usermod -aG docker $(whoami)

4. Log out and log in again, for the previous command to take effect.

Install Open WebUI on Docker

1. Check whether your device has an NVIDIA GPU.
2. Use only one of the following commands.

Your device has an NVIDIA GPU:

docker run -d -p 3000:8080 --gpus all --add-host=host.docker.internal:host-gateway -v open-webui:/app/backend/data --name open-webui --restart always ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:cuda

Your device has no NVIDIA GPU:

docker run -d -p 3000:8080 --add-host=host.docker.internal:host-gateway -v open-webui:/app/backend/data --name open-webui --restart always ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main

Configure Ollama access

1. Edit the Ollama service file. This uses the text editor set in the $SYSTEMD_EDITOR environment variable.

sudo systemctl edit ollama.service

2. Add the following, save and exit.

[Service]
Environment="OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0"

3. Restart the Ollama service.

sudo systemctl restart ollama

Get automatic updates for Open WebUI (not models, Ollama or Docker)

1. Create a new service file to get updates using Watchtower once everytime Docker starts.

sudoedit /etc/systemd/system/watchtower-open-webui.service

2. Add the following, save and exit.

[Unit]
Description=Watchtower Open WebUI
After=docker.service
Requires=docker.service

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/docker run --rm --volume /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock containrrr/watchtower --run-once open-webui
RemainAfterExit=true

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

3. Enable this new service to start with your device and start it now.

sudo systemctl enable --now watchtower-open-webui

4. (Optional) Get updates at regular intervals after Docker has started.

docker run --rm --volume /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock containrrr/watchtower --run-once open-webui

Use Open WebUI

1. Open localhost:3000 in a web browser.
2. Create an on-device Open WebUI account as shown.

Open WebUI lets you download and run large language models (LLMs) on your device using Ollama.

Install Ollama

See this guide: https://lemmy.world/post/27013201

Install Docker (recommended Open WebUI installation method)

1. Open Console, type the following command and press return. This may ask for your password but not show you typing it.

sudo pacman -S docker

2. Enable the Docker service [on-device and runs in the background] to start with your device and start it now.

sudo systemctl enable --now docker

3. Allow your current user to use Docker.

sudo usermod -aG docker $(whoami)

4. Log out and log in again, for the previous command to take effect.

Install Open WebUI on Docker

1. Check whether your device has an NVIDIA GPU.
2. Use only one of the following commands.

Your device has an NVIDIA GPU:

docker run -d -p 3000:8080 --gpus all --add-host=host.docker.internal:host-gateway -v open-webui:/app/backend/data --name open-webui --restart always ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:cuda

Your device has no NVIDIA GPU:

docker run -d -p 3000:8080 --add-host=host.docker.internal:host-gateway -v open-webui:/app/backend/data --name open-webui --restart always ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main

Configure Ollama access

1. Edit the Ollama service file. This uses the text editor set in the $SYSTEMD_EDITOR environment variable.

sudo systemctl edit ollama.service

2. Add the following, save and exit.

[Service]
Environment="OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0"

3. Restart the Ollama service.

sudo systemctl restart ollama

Get automatic updates for Open WebUI (not models, Ollama or Docker)

1. Create a new service file to get updates using Watchtower once everytime Docker starts.

sudoedit /etc/systemd/system/watchtower-open-webui.service

2. Add the following, save and exit.

[Unit]
Description=Watchtower Open WebUI
After=docker.service
Requires=docker.service

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/docker run --rm --volume /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock containrrr/watchtower --run-once open-webui
RemainAfterExit=true

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

3. Enable this new service to start with your device and start it now.

sudo systemctl enable --now watchtower-open-webui

4. (Optional) Get updates at regular intervals after Docker has started.

docker run --rm --volume /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock containrrr/watchtower --run-once open-webui

Use Open WebUI

1. Open localhost:3000 in a web browser.
2. Create an on-device Open WebUI account as shown.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28313324