Anti-Abuse Initiative 2-Month Overview

Introduction

It's been 2 months since the end of the anti-abuse trial period. Utopian dropped the whitelist and opened this category to more anti-abuse contributors.

This overview summarizes

• some of the top anti-abuse posts from Nov 15, 2018 to Jan 10, 2019
• contribution statistics
• moderator statistics
• challenges

Contributions

By SteemCleaners: Creating An Anti-Abuse Project for Your Community
It's about time communities take the upper hand on managing abuse and the abusers.

@SteemCleaners provided a great guide in this anti-abuse contribution. Set up your community's trusted anti-abuse group and decide if you need to collaborate with SteemCleaners.

As abusers get creative, we need every member of the community. Preventing abuse in its initial phase is crucial. As communities grow on the platform, we not only need curators. We need anti-abuse curators.

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By AnthonyADavisII: Bringing Down An Abuse Network
Maxims of life, inspiring quotes, life's motto and every quotable quotes you can imagine. They can brighten your day. They can give you insight. But they can also be abused.

@Anthonyadavisii cracks down on a network of abusive accounts. Spam and bid bot abuse were detected. Spamming the blockchain with quotes and pictures. Then boosting every post with multiple bid bots.

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By TheMarkyMark: Introducing Sources
Sometimes Cheetah misses spinned posts. Curators need to remind authors about sourcing or attributions. You're curious where the author based their content.

@TheMarkyMark answers this need by creating the sources bot. From the same mold of pancake and popcorn bot, you can now summon a reminder for authors to source their content.

Preventing plagiarism can be as simple as informing or educating every contributor to this platform. A friendly reminder is a helpful and non-intimidating approach.

Anti-Abuse Statistics

Total Contributions
The team reviewed and scored 17 contributions. One contribution did not fit the anti-abuse category and was not scored.

Average Score
Overall, the scores are averaging above the 67% range. This number might be a little bit skewed after migrating to the new questionnaire.

The first 5 weeks (Nov 15 to Dec 19) used the old questionnaire. The previous questionnaire is geared more towards a whitelist approach. After dropping the whitelist, the questionnaire needed updates. The current questionnaire emphasizes post quality (with less regard on number of words). It also gives more value on how impactful it is to the anti-abuse community.

Average Contribution
We're averaging two contributions per week since November 15, 2018.

The Steemit Inc fiasco has disheartened many daily posters and abuse fighters. I think the number of contributions for all categories exhibit this. When the new Utopian bot came out, it also changed the Utopian contributions.

During the trial period, 4 contributions a week was the average. The moderators were also contributing to encourage and set an example for everyone.

As things pick up, I hope to see more contributions. I also hope to see new contributors.

Moderators

@enforcer48
The most active moderator for the anti-abuse category. He's mostly available when contributions are submitted. During the holiday season, most were out and he was available.

@lovenfreedom
The second most active moderator. She reviews contributions when she can and usually during times Enforcer48 is unavailable.

@naturicia and @anthonyadavisii
Each reviewed 3 contributions, time and availability permitting.

Review Goals

I prefer getting to the contributions before 12 hours. Ideally, we would review every contribution within 3 hours.

It was a huge undertaking to encourage abuse fighters to contribute to Utopian. Every contribution submitted to the anti-abuse category is very much appreciated. I acknowledge the contributor's efforts and dedication to the viability of Steem by reviewing their posts in less than 12 hours. With every moderator's help, this goal is a reality.

We're also fortunate that when one is not available, other moderators are available to review. Every one is responsible. Most importantly they are all writing thoughtful and constructive reviews for each contribution.

I did not have to review any contribution during this period. But I read every scored contribution and their respective written reviews.

Utopian's Announcement
Here is Utopian's latest announcement for the anti-abuse category.

This post discussed dropping the whitelist requirement. It also mentioned expanding the anti-abuse category in the matters of cybersecurity.

Summary

The year 2018 ended with a thud, a fizzle, a scare and now we're not sure what's going to happen to STEEM.

Those of us who have invested a considerable amount of money and time continue to be faithful. But we're regrouping and trying to CYA better.

From the beginning, establishing the anti-abuse category has had HF20, Utopian bot revamping, Steemit Inc challenges and the usual fight against abuse.

We hope to be open and available to any suggestions that will enhance the impact this project will have on the blockchain.

If you have a suggestion, come by the Utopian Discord.

We still hope to incorporate security in this anti-abuse initiative. We've had a few roadblocks but we will press on. Any internet security, cybersecurity or data security specialists, please contact us.