The purpose behind messages is that they are intended to be private. Aside from legal cases I don't see why one would need to look at them. When legal cases arise, we have the users evidence and one could simply make a query into the database. I'm not a fan of the idea of being able to spy on my users on private discussions. People literally fear this sort of thing. I know many people who would quit a community if they knew their messages were being read.

@josh, That is not an issue for site owners, we can always see user messages, and all things on sql area. But we need a simple panel to moderate them easly!

"I'm not a fan of the idea of being able to spy on my users on private discussions."

This is your idea, why you think --spying you user messages--? If you dont want to see your users messages, simple dont use "Messages" button, that is all

"I know many people who would quit a community if they knew their messages were being read."

if you are using a community your messages always can be read, that is not mystery

So, You are thinking so simple...

With this thread I'm thinking from your average user perspective rather than my tech savvy one. We both know that at any time a web owner could go in and access whatever they want, which isn't a bad thing. But what people do in private in my opinion is up to them and does not warrant a third party to intervene between their business and the other person unless something is reported.

I will give you this positive point, it would make illegal activity that is being conducted in private to be more easily tracked and appropriate action to be taken. So for that reason alone I'm no longer opposed to this idea. But I can't promise my support for it either.

Hi Josh,

I understand you. As you know we can control and see everything already, But we need a usefull control panel also, it takes to much time to owner a community, So we need usefull tools to save our times, that is all