Stalking and Harassment, GM/Square Enix Refusal to act

[Ashemmi]

3 years now, and likely a little more -- the SAME player has been a problem. Dozens of reports have been filed on my part, dozens more by other players, yet nothing tangible has been done. I've seen friends suspended for cursing in an instance. I've seen friends suspended for off color remarks in public spaces, yet this...creature has stayed for years.

Straight up, that's shameful SE. Shame on you.

1) Player visits locations frequented by myself and friends, though they've been asked to stay away.

This is stalking. We are speaking of private residences, apartments, and free companies. Places where the player has no business being. They are making their presence known as a reminder that SE refuses to do anything.

If this were all, perhaps it could be ignored, but it's not only about that. They are using forbidden tools to get up to date character captures. IE what the character is wearing, how the hair is done, the colors, and options. They use this later in continuation of the deeper problem.

2) Player creates images of my character and friends.

Lewd, disgusting images. Using the words to describe them here would likely get me some days away. They are made /IN/ our private spaces. In our apartments, rooms, FC. Places where they've been told to stay away.

3) Player posts images for public view.

Often the player will use comments, citing the names of the copied characters involved.

4) Player puts links to full galleries in their search info.

Direct links to the smut, for everyone to see. Everyone. Yes, even the minors who play this game. SE, you're saying that this is okay. This alone has been reported.

5) Player stands outside of private spaces of those involved.

Displaying their "art" to cause discomfort. A reminder that SE will do nothing at all. This alone should be enough to see time in jail and/or a ban. Yet the SE response is a form letter, and HOURS later the character is still online. It's very obvious when they're still online and they come back the next day -- that nothing has been done.

6) Player will create alts using the exact names of characters involved.

There is a social reputation component to this game. Imagine finding an alt with your characters name, sitting on your plot with another level 2 alt all small clothed up. One on their knees, directly in front. Hmmm... WONDER what that /MIGHT/ be....

7) Player posts the links in message books from time to time.

8) Player avoids blacklists.

Yes, they've been blacklisted. Over and over. Yet, they simply roll a new alt so you can "hear" the lovely words they're using. So that they can talk to you and make threats.

Stalking, Harassment, Possible Ban Evasion, Blacklist Avoidance, and Lewd Search info. All things which are supposed to be acted on.

[Ashemmi]

----

This has resulted in several PAYING players not wanting to play. Harassment and stalking is emotionally disturbing for all involved. I'm glad you're protecting those FREE, clearly used for only smut level 2 accounts.

Shame, SE, shame.

[Kzar]

I've also seen this character, myself. It doesn't take a genius to know that when two characters are interacting strangely, gposing, in small clothes that they're partaking in lewd content. I know there's nothing I can do alone, but perhaps as a group Square Enix will take notice and do something.

It's disgusting that they use their tools to violate our characters against our consent and then post it online in sight of anybody **including minors**. I don't want to be associated with them! This is childish and vindictive and the fact that multiple reports of harassment have been filed against them without any repercussions has been the cherry on top of this entire disaster. Does SE really care about their players? I question it all the time. And, with situations like this, I don't think anybody can really blame me.

[OdinelStarrei]

Does SE really care about their players?

Of course they don't. And why would they? They have zero incentive to do so, and most players will probably assume it's YOUR fault you're being harassed or "have too many complaints, just deal with it". So what if all your friends unsubscribe? They'll be replaced in a day by people who don't know any better.

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...ing-harassment

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...our-support%21

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...-with-stalkers

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...6021-This-game...

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...t-needs-fixing

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...ssment-In-Game

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...o-stalk-people

They don't feel shame. They aren't human, they're a business.

[Boblawblah]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this kind of harassment OP, I hope a mod who is willing to escalate this issue sees this.

SE, are you there?

[ElinaT]

This person has continued to be an absolute menace to the game who makes people feel less safe to play. As I am typing this right now they are outside of our Free company house. Ashemmi hasn't even associated with our free company in nearly a year and a half and they are still harassing her and others despite this. That is how sick this level of persistence and person is. This is getting to the point where its more appropriate to go to the authorities and see if they can provide any assistance as the GM team and Square Enix support have been utterly incapable of handling the situation in a way that protects their players from /cyber crime/.

[LittleImp]

I wish the forums had DMs, I always like getting ahold of the names of these types of players because they're often notorious entities and known to other parts of the extended community. I even checked the FC's ward to see if I could spot them lol (maybe the stalker was me all along?).

SE is notoriously bad about this kind of stuff, and it's unfortunately really easy for savvy players to evade punishment anyway in the rare cases SE does actually take action.

Stalkers are driven by diverse forms of mental illness, and there doesn't tend to be a one-size solution to getting rid of them (outside of IRL imprisonment ig). The best advice I can give is to simply stonewall them as much as possible. Sometimes they end up getting bored and find someone else to obsess over instead. You could also try to track down their IRL information and contact the local authorities to file a complaint, as there are certainly locales in which what they are doing (particularly sending unsolicited sexual imagery) is illegal.

[Stormpeaks]

Just SE being SE, I myself was stalked and harassed for over a year and a half and nothing was done despite reports.

If you dare say a bad word in say chat though, beware ! But if you want to stalk, you got free reign

Great "customer support", absolutely pathetic and shameful tbh

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

Just SE being SE, I myself was stalked and harassed for over a year and a half and nothing was done despite reports.

If you dare say a bad word in say chat though, beware ! But if you want to stalk, you got free reign

Great "customer support", absolutely pathetic and shameful tbh

But you also don't want to be able to indivually block people from entering houses because "muh right to enter venues".



Something that would go a long way to prevent some of these issues.

[Stormpeaks]

But you also don't want to be able to indivually block people from entering houses because "muh right to enter venues".



Something that would go a long way to prevent some of these issues.

There shouldnt be a need for that, there is something called customer support.