Censorship via algorithm in feedback

[zorsopas]

Since I can't seem to find any way to complain directly to eBay, I'll do it here...I was leaving positive feedback for a seller (have never left un-positive) and clicked Send--when a red WARNING popped up, saying "We don't allow profanity on eBay, please rewrite your feedback." I certainly know what profanity is, and I didn't use any, so figured it was a glitch and tried again. Same thing. And same thing, with signing out and in SIX times and trying again with slightly different wording. The problem: since I didn't use any profanity, what was the big naughty? Which was the big bad word the algorithm was objecting to, which was not profanity but which would not let me leave positive feedback (or any feedback at all) for the seller? Facebook regularly insults our intelligence, but eBay--grow up. And get it right. I don't appreciate being censored, first of all, and second I don't appreciate being accused of something I didn't do, and third I don't appreciate impinging on leaving positive feedback. Like, I'm **bleep**. (oh my, is that profane?)  Finally I figured out it was the word "purplish". Yep, go find the dirty connotation there. As in, purple-like? Lavender? Which is what I finally had to use. I mean: really? A stupid and quite faulty algorithm to censor eBay buyers? If eBay can't get its algorithm right, I can't get my buying right. Meaning, quit insulting my intelligence, because I'll go elsewhere to buy. Simple algorithm. You censor, I quit.

[buyselljack2016]

@zorsopas 

I'm inclined to believe that AL was looking at the last 2 letters in that word, and linking it to the next word in your feedback which was probably "it".  AL does that all the time. 

[zorsopas]

Probably so. I think this is the most juvenile thing I've yet encountered. Like around 12 or so, giggly/tee hee but with power. Grow up eBay, you're losing your cred! 

[buyselljack2016]

Wait until you try to tell them that the pen is just great, but you wish it was a different color. Then they will double AL you.

[zorsopas]

Does AL not get spacing? Guess not. All the more reason for *humans* to actually have a paying job (what a novel concept) and check feedback for naughties. 😱

[buyselljack2016]

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@zorsopas wrote:

Does AL not get spacing? Guess not. All the more reason for *humans* to actually have a paying job (what a novel concept) and check feedback for naughties. 😱

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Well, AL gets spacing enough to know that it has to be ignored because there are juvenile people that would take advantage of that to post a string of profanity.

We just have to deal with the fact that AL can not differentiate  between nice, and naughty.

Just not cost effective to pay for that type of monitoring.

[redmodelt]

No the AL does not see spaces.

[zorsopas]

This is such absolute nonsense. The default language in the US is English, not AL, and I’m not about to spend my time or goodwill when offering feedback on figuring out what vowels and consonants MIGHT combine, minus spacing, to make “profanity.” I’m writing with words, not spaces; this is not poetry. If the AL needs tweaking, a human being needs to tweak it, since a human being set it up that way in the first place. Not a huge job that requires a big outlay of sweat or even intelligence. And not rocket science. I’ve given well over 100 feedbacks and this is the first time I ever was censored (and for no reason). Coincidental in timing to being allowed now 500 words instead of the previous 80? Hint: that does not include spaces. Somebody messed up the AL and somebody needs to fix it. Does eBay want buyers to give feedback or not? Or continue to buy?   

[soh.maryl]

You know that a bot did that, right? I don't think bots giggle, but I could be wrong.

[gadgettatic]

Hi zorsopas.

I just read your message and I started a thread of my own recently a few days ago called:

Problems making contact with ebay sellers. Anyone else having a problem?

My problem is in regards to making contact with ebay sellers using contact seller

and I've been using ebay since the early 2000s.

One ebay seller recently mentioned to me in a reply that they did not receive some of my messages.

Its like certain words you normally may use in conversations when negotiating with an ebay seller

can't be said and considered to be spam mail.

I know one word that will block your message from being sent is:

paypal

( Remember Paypal is an option here on ebay to use as a way to pay for an ebay item. )

I'm really concerned that certain words are accidently causing ebay buyers and ebay sellers from 

completing ebay transactions.

Thanks for your time.

[inhawaii]

I came here to report a minor glitch i found and stumbled upon you post. 

I truly mean this with no disrespect.  You must live a pretty good life if a simple thing like an obvious minor glitch on a word that you'll probably never use again for the rest of your life get's you all rilled up. 

It was an interesting post.  I'm glad you shared it with us. But nothing i would ever get upset about.  Relax.  Life is too short. 

Good luck and stay safe.

[zorsopas]

I have not had this experience, but it could be the new improved algorithm.

[zorsopas]

I guess it's *not OK* to express an opinion here without someone snidely remarking (with no knowledge whatsoever) that I must lead a pretty good life to get all "rilled" (you mean "riled") up over an issue. Pretty good assumption for a stranger. Did it ever occur to you that you might *not* post about something that clearly is just an excuse for you to pretend you're a good guy, but you're just posting anyway with your own opinion that demeans the original poster? Oh la, life is short. Yep it is. Why are you then wasting your time posting here?

And where's your minor glitch that was so important?

[inhawaii]

You obviously took offense to my post. That was not my intent. Sorry. 

Stay safe.