Question about "Allows users to reply to system messages, even if …"

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The discussion revolves around preventing users from replying to system messages. one1 is unsure about the effect of unchecking the setting ‘Allows users to reply to system messages, even if personal messages are disabled’ on reply buttons for system messages. JammyDodger suggests that unchecking this setting will remove the reply option on all system PMs for non-admins, which can achieve the desired outcome. Alternatively, JammyDodger proposes using the ‘Site contact username’ or ‘Site contact group name’ settings to redirect system message replies to a nominated person or group, with the former offering automatic archiving and ping reduction.

1

Context: With our current settings people are replying to system messages (e.g. your post has been flagged) and then they are replying to those system messages, which of course the moderators can’t see.

In settings, there is this:

“Allows users to reply to system messages, even if personal messages are disabled”

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Currently we allow personal messages. If we untick this box will all of the reply buttons be removed from messages from the @system user?

It has been suggested to me that

unchecking this means “only allow replies to system messages if PMs are enabled”.

Another solution was suggested:

disable ‘Allow other users to send me personal messages and chat direct messages’ on system’s preferences’ (/u/system/preferences/users)

What is the recommended way to stop people from replying to system messages?

3

Unchecking this setting would remove the reply option on all system PMs for anyone not an admin. If you don’t want people to be able to reply to the automated system messages then this is the setting. :+1:

However, an alternative approach could be to use the Site contact username setting so all the system messages are then sent as the nominated person and any replies will arrive in their inbox. There’s also some swish magic to this option where all the sent messages are automatically archived and only replies will send a ping.

There’s also Site contact group name where a nominated group will be included in the message as well. However, the downside for this one is that is doesn’t have as much magic and you get pinged for every sent message (which can be incredibly noisy :slight_smile:)