How to remove the possibility to send messages to staged users

Product Support

AI-generated summary

The discussion revolves around the ability to send private messages and chat to staged users in a Discourse instance, which is considered confusing and potentially problematic. icaria36 highlights that staged users, such as those mirroring a mailing list, are not real users, yet the interface allows actual users to message them, leading to confusion for both senders and recipients. The issue is further extended to chat functionality, where even local users with low trust levels (TL0) do not see a chat button for staged users. JammyDodger clarifies that user cards for staged users are hidden from non-staff, preventing manual selection for messages, which explains the current behavior. icaria36 acknowledges this explanation and expresses satisfaction with the clarification.

1

There are many reasons why a Discourse instance will have staged users. In our case, we are mirroring a mailing list. Staged users aren’t (or shouldn’t be) real users, and it is rather surprising that the interface allows actual users to send them a private message. This is confusing because

a) The sender will have an expectation that their message will reach its destination.
b) The recipient either doesn’t receive any message or, if they do, they will be confused by it (who sends me a message from where?)

I’d say it is a bug but maybe there are reasons to have this functionality. In any case, is there a way to remove this feature?

2

Same question about chat. How can it be disabled for staged users? Not even local users with TL0 get a chat button.

image
image632×250 21.3 KB

3

I think user cards (and profiles) for staged users are hidden for non-staff, and it’s not possible to choose them when creating a message or DM ‘manually’.

The image is a screenshot of a user profile named "Test_Fourteen" with a circular green "T" in the background, indicating the user is no longer active. (Captioned by AI)
The image is a screenshot of a user profile named "Test_Fourteen" with a circular green "T" in the background, indicating the user is no longer active. (Captioned by AI)1179×889 79.2 KB

Is this something you want to apply to admin users to avoid issues?

4

@JammyDodger ah, ok, true! I hadn’t thought about testing with a regular user. All good, then! Thank you very much.