MessageLogger: Difference between revisions

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== Features ==
== Features ==
[[File:Message_Logger_preview_deleted_messages.png|alt=This is how deleted messages look like|thumb|This is how deleted messages look like]]
[[File:Message_Logger_preview_deleted_messages.png|alt=This is how deleted messages look like|thumb|This is how deleted messages look like]][[File:Message_Logger_Preview_Edited_Messages.png|alt=This is how Edited Messages looks like|thumb|This is how edited messages look like]]


Message loggers allow users to see:
Message loggers allow users to see:
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== Controversy ==
== Controversy ==
[[File:Message_Logger_Preview_Edited_Messages.png|alt=This is how Edited Messages looks like|thumb|This is how Edited Messages lo]]
Use of MessageLoggers is very controversial in the community, with multiple [[client mods]] such as [[BetterDiscord]]<ref name="bd-faq">{{Cite web|url=https://betterdiscord.app/FAQ|quote=Message loggers are in violation discord's API terms and privacy policy, and can result in account termination. We will not provide such plugins|title=BetterDiscord FAQ point 11}}</ref> and [[Powercord]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://powercord.dev/guidelines|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314211818/https://powercord.dev/guidelines|archive-date=2021-03-14|quote=End User Data of other users must be handled with caution with regards to privacy. For example, logging all deleted messages is prohibited.|title=Powercord Guidelines point 2}}</ref> prohibiting their usage outright and theme developers who vehemently oppose them have [https://github.com/NYRI4/LilyPichu/commit/49b169d1436c9de9b238f09c1fb72e00418f8141 attempted] to block users of it in the past, only to later revert their changes.


Use of MessageLoggers is very controversial in the community, with multiple [[client mods]] such as [[BetterDiscord]]<ref name="bd-faq">{{Cite web|url=https://betterdiscord.app/FAQ|quote=Message loggers are in violation discord's API terms and privacy policy, and can result in account termination. We will not provide such plugins|title=BetterDiscord FAQ point 11}}</ref> and [[Powercord]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://powercord.dev/guidelines|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314211818/https://powercord.dev/guidelines|archive-date=2021-03-14|quote=End User Data of other users must be handled with caution with regards to privacy. For example, logging all deleted messages is prohibited.|title=Powercord FAQ point 2}}</ref> prohibiting their usage outright.
Common reasons are that they "violate user privacy" and "Discord's privacy policy and API terms," with multiple sources claiming that using loggers poses a risk to your account.<ref name="bd-faq" />


Commonly stated reasons are that they "violate user privacy" and "Discord's privacy policy and API terms", with multiple sources claiming usage of loggers poses a risk to your account.<ref name="bd-faq" />
While the morality of their usage is debatable, claims that message loggers are dangerous are nothing more than blatant disinformation. As all the functionality provided by these plugins is performed client-side, ''without interacting with the API or gateway'', it is impossible for these plugins to pose a risk by simply using them.


However, there are no documented cases of users getting banned for just using loggers and such plugins still see wide usage across clientmods, even on those that prohibit them.
Furthermore, there have been no documented cases of users getting their accounts banned just for even revealing they use message loggers. As a result, such plugins still see wide usage across practically all client mods, even on those that officially prohibit them.


Furthermore, Discord's Developer terms of service only apply to "access to and use of the [Discord] APIs"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discord.com/developers/docs/policies-and-agreements/developer-terms-of-service|title=Discord Developer Terms of Service}}</ref>. Since logger plugins function entirely offline, these terms can't really be applied to them.
Additionally, Discord's Developer terms of service only apply to "access to and use of the [Discord] APIs"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discord.com/developers/docs/policies-and-agreements/developer-terms-of-service|title=Discord Developer Terms of Service}}</ref>. Since logger plugins entirely rely on data the client ''already has'', these terms can't be applied to them.
 
The only applicable term from the terms of service is the disallowance of modifying Discord services, which [[client mods]] themselves break. As this is not unique to message loggers, using this term to single out message loggers explicitly is inappropriate as well.


== Citations ==
== Citations ==

Latest revision as of 18:10, 25 June 2024

Message Loggers are plugins that allow users to view deleted & edited Discord messages.

Features

This is how deleted messages look like
This is how deleted messages look like
This is how Edited Messages looks like
This is how edited messages look like

Message loggers allow users to see:

  • Recently deleted messages. A red text indicates the deleted messages.
  • Recently edited messages. A gray text indicates the edited message.

Versions (selection)

Controversy

Use of MessageLoggers is very controversial in the community, with multiple client mods such as BetterDiscord[1] and Powercord[2] prohibiting their usage outright and theme developers who vehemently oppose them have attempted to block users of it in the past, only to later revert their changes.

Common reasons are that they "violate user privacy" and "Discord's privacy policy and API terms," with multiple sources claiming that using loggers poses a risk to your account.[1]

While the morality of their usage is debatable, claims that message loggers are dangerous are nothing more than blatant disinformation. As all the functionality provided by these plugins is performed client-side, without interacting with the API or gateway, it is impossible for these plugins to pose a risk by simply using them.

Furthermore, there have been no documented cases of users getting their accounts banned just for even revealing they use message loggers. As a result, such plugins still see wide usage across practically all client mods, even on those that officially prohibit them.

Additionally, Discord's Developer terms of service only apply to "access to and use of the [Discord] APIs"[3]. Since logger plugins entirely rely on data the client already has, these terms can't be applied to them.

The only applicable term from the terms of service is the disallowance of modifying Discord services, which client mods themselves break. As this is not unique to message loggers, using this term to single out message loggers explicitly is inappropriate as well.

Citations

  1. 1.0 1.1 "BetterDiscord FAQ point 11". Message loggers are in violation discord's API terms and privacy policy, and can result in account termination. We will not provide such plugins
  2. "Powercord Guidelines point 2". Archived from the original on 2021-03-14. End User Data of other users must be handled with caution with regards to privacy. For example, logging all deleted messages is prohibited.
  3. "Discord Developer Terms of Service".