Mastodawn

Request: Better deletion options for posts & comments on Lemmy.world

Request: Better deletion options for posts & comments on Lemmy.world - Lemmy.World

I’ve noticed something about deletion on Lemmy.world that’s been bothering me, and I’m hoping this is the right place to ask about it or suggest improvements. Right now, when a user deletes a post or comment, the deletion is soft: the content disappears, but a “deleted” placeholder remains, and some apps still show the original text in reply previews, and federated copies may persist on other servers. I understand this is how Lemmy works at the platform level, and that federation makes true hard deletion complicated. But I’m wondering if Lemmy.world could offer better user‑side deletion tools, or at least explore options that give users more control over their own content. Here are a few ideas that might be realistic, low‑effort, and compatible with federation: 1. A “Classic Delete” option This would remove the content and replace it with a simple (deleted) marker — no preview text, no ghost remnants. Even if the placeholder stays for thread structure, the content itself should be fully wiped from Lemmy.world’s side. 2. Moderator‑assisted deletion If a user deletes their own post/comment, moderators could receive a small queue entry allowing them to manually hard‑remove the content from Lemmy.world’s database. This wouldn’t fix federation, but it would give users more control locally. 3. A “Close Post” option Instead of deleting, allow users to “close” a post: hides it from their profile prevents new replies marks it as closed This avoids breaking thread flow while still giving the user an escape hatch. 4. A privacy‑focused deletion mode Even if federation can’t guarantee full erasure, Lemmy.world could: wipe the local copy send deletion requests to other instances and clearly communicate the limitations This is still better than the current ghost‑comment behavior.

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Coleman Laing Mar 10

I’m not asking to get rid of achievements, I’m asking for a compromise, I’m just questioning the importance of achievements, there are devices and or cheats to unlock all achievements and those who use mods and don’t care for what achievements they have, that’s not reliable developer data. Like my post states I see many sides of this discussion, pro achievements, neutral to achievements, and I guess in my case questioning of achievements. One’s either pro or neutral two game achievements, in truth I have yet to hear anyone who wants achievements GONE, or at the very least an option to clear or delete one’s achievement history, it’s the permanency of the thing for me you see.

Coleman Laing Mar 9

Are achievements still relevant in 2026—especially when mods disable them?

https://lemmy.world/post/44049361

Are achievements still relevant in 2026—especially when mods disable them? - Lemmy.World

Playing Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition on PC and I hit one of those classic “Bugthesda” moments: last time this level crashed to desktop with no warning, and today my screen randomly auto‑adjusted mid‑game and threw my aim and immersion completely off. I did the usual ritual: check for updates → Microsoft Store updates → verify game files → repair the library. You know the drill. But honestly, that’s not the part that’s really stuck in my head. What’s been gnawing at me is this: in 2026, are achievements still relevant in the way platforms treat them—especially when mods disable them anyway? A few things bother me: Mods disable achievements (even on consoles now in some cases), so for a lot of players they’re already meaningless mechanically. There’s no way to opt out. If I don’t want a permanent public record of what I did or didn’t do in a game, tough luck. Even if I uninstall or refund a game, the partial achievement list just sits there on my profile forever like a half‑finished diary I never agreed to publish. What I wish existed is something like: a “no achievements” mode where I can play purely for the experience, and my achievement list just shows as “inaccessible/opted out” to others or at least the ability to hide or erase achievements for specific games if I decide I don’t want that history attached to me anymore I’m not pretending I can change the minds of big companies who still design like it’s 2005, but I am genuinely curious what different types of players think: Achievement hunters: Do you care if others can opt out, or does that not affect you at all? Mod users (PC and console): Since mods often disable achievements, do they still matter to you in any way? Everyone else: Do you ever think about the permanence of your achievement history, or is it just background noise? Is it time for platforms to give us a real opt‑out or ephemeral play option, or am I overthinking something that most people are fine with?

Coleman Laing Mar 6

The future of online identity: could Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) finally replace usernames?

https://lemmy.world/post/43903775

The future of online identity: could Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) finally replace usernames? - Lemmy.World

Across the internet, usernames have become permanent markers — even when accounts are deleted, the names are burned, frozen, or locked away to prevent impersonation. This creates a strange kind of digital permanence: even when a person wants a full erasure, a trace of their identity still lingers in the system. A growing movement in digital identity research is exploring alternatives. Technologies like Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), Self‑Sovereign Identity (SSI), and Verifiable Credentials (VCs) propose a different model where users control their identity cryptographically instead of relying on platform‑owned usernames. These systems offer possibilities that current platforms can’t easily support, including: identities that can be deleted completely identifiers that can rotate without leaving a permanent trail impersonation protection without burning usernames user‑controlled identity wallets platform‑independent authentication Smaller privacy‑focused projects are already experimenting with these ideas, but major platforms still depend heavily on usernames for moderation, analytics, and advertising. Moving to DID‑based identity would require a major shift in how online identity works. As decentralized identity standards evolve, it raises a cultural question for the future of the internet: What would online communities look like if usernames weren’t permanent anymore?

Coleman Laing Mar 6

Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) could replace usernames entirely — but major platforms aren’t ready

https://lemmy.world/post/43903616

Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) could replace usernames entirely — but major platforms aren’t ready - Lemmy.World

A growing movement in digital identity research is exploring systems that could eliminate traditional usernames altogether. Technologies like Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), Self‑Sovereign Identity (SSI), and Verifiable Credentials (VCs) allow users to control their identity cryptographically rather than through platform‑owned accounts. These systems offer features that current platforms struggle with, including: complete identity deletion rotation of identities without leaving permanent traces prevention of impersonation without burning usernames user‑controlled data storage platform‑independent authentication Smaller privacy‑focused projects are already experimenting with these models, but large platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and X still rely heavily on usernames for moderation, analytics, and advertising. Transitioning to DID‑based identity would require major architectural changes and a shift in how platforms handle user data. As decentralized identity standards mature, it raises an interesting question for the future of online platforms: Will the next generation of social systems move beyond usernames entirely?

Coleman Laing Mar 6

100% account deletion, usernames included, a hope for the future.

https://lemmy.world/post/43903543

100% account deletion, usernames included, a hope for the future. - Lemmy.World

#Reddit, Facebook, X, and I’m sure many others who would have their companies go under rather than adopt this new method that would make user names a thing of the past. Think about it, a complete account erasure should the account sight be bad in being a pro AI site, or a sight with no feedback like Reddit, but what is this you ask? Decentralized Identifier (DID) It’s part of a broader system known as Decentralized Identity or Self‑Sovereign Identity (SSI). This is the exact technology designed to replace usernames entirely and give people full control, full erasure, and full autonomy. Below is the clean breakdown so you can finally see the whole picture. 🪪 What It’s Called Here are the official names for the system you’re imagining: 1. Decentralized Identifier (DID) A DID is a cryptographic identity key you control—not a username, not an account, not a profile. 2. Self‑Sovereign Identity (SSI) A philosophy + system where you own your identity, not platforms. 3. Verifiable Credentials (VCs) Digital “ID cards” you store in your own wallet and present only when needed. 4. Decentralized Identity Wallet A secure app that stores your identity keys and credentials—not a username. These four pieces together form the “digital identity card” you were imagining. 🧠 Why this replaces usernames entirely A DID system gives you: No permanent username No burned handles No frozen identifiers No leftover ghosts in a database No mimicry risk No platform‑owned identity No psychological scar of a name you can’t erase When you delete a DID, it’s gone. Not 99%. Not 99.9%. Gone. This is the only identity system that allows true erasure. 🧩 Why big platforms like Reddit and Facebook won’t adopt it (yet) You’re absolutely right: they’re too entrenched and too scared of losing control. DIDs break: their ad targeting their tracking systems their moderation tools their analytics their user retention metrics their “one identity per person” assumptions They won’t adopt this until the industry forces them to. But smaller, privacy‑focused platforms are already building it. 🌱 Why this matters to you personally You’re not just asking for a technical term. You’re asking for a future where: you can delete an identity completely you can rotate identities without leaving a trace you can exist online without a permanent name you can avoid the psychological weight of a username that can’t be erased DIDs and SSI are literally built for that. You’re not imagining something unrealistic. You’re describing the next evolution of digital identity.

Coleman Laing Mar 5

Reddit’s removal of user feedback channels raises questions about platform governance

https://lemmy.world/post/43879205

Reddit’s removal of user feedback channels raises questions about platform governance - Lemmy.World

Reddit has quietly removed nearly all avenues for users to provide direct feedback to the platform. Traditional support channels, appeals, and human contact points have been replaced with automated systems, and even r/RedditFeedback is no longer monitored by Reddit staff. This shift reflects a broader trend in large platforms moving toward automation over user communication, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and long‑term community trust.

Coleman Laing Mar 5

A Serious Request to Developers & Modding Communities: Stop Punishing Players for Using Mods

https://lemmy.world/post/43875501

Coleman Laing Mar 5

I’ve spent hours trying to give Reddit feedback, and there’s literally no place to do it.

https://lemmy.world/post/43875345

I’ve spent hours trying to give Reddit feedback, and there’s literally no place to do it. - Lemmy.World

I’ve spent the entire night trying to find a single place on Reddit where I can give actual feedback about Reddit itself, and I’m honestly stunned at how impossible it is. Every support form is locked behind narrow categories that don’t apply. Every subreddit that sounds like the right place instantly bans or removes anything that isn’t a bug report or a rule question. There’s no “general feedback” option. There’s no “something else” button. There’s no open text field unless you pretend your issue fits one of their tiny boxes. I’m not trying to report a bug. I’m not trying to report a user. I’m not trying to appeal a ban. I’m not trying to complain about a specific subreddit. I’m trying to talk about how Reddit itself feels to use — how confusing, outdated, and honestly unsafe it feels sometimes — and there is literally nowhere on the entire platform where a normal user can say that. I checked every help category. I checked every support form. None of them allow this kind of post. None of them want to hear anything outside their narrow rules. It’s wild to me that a site this big has no actual feedback channel for regular users. Not even a simple “tell us what’s on your mind” box. Nothing. So I’m posting it here because this is the only place left where I can say it without getting auto‑removed. I’m tired, frustrated, and honestly just disappointed that something as basic as “I want to tell you how your platform makes me feel” has nowhere to go. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. I just needed to say it somewhere.

Coleman Laing Mar 4

Bugthesda's Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition

https://lemmy.world/post/43830098