Stalking and Harassment, GM/Square Enix Refusal to act

[Bobby66]

That wouldn't do anything. MAC address blocks only work for the last hop. SE gets the MAC address of their ISP. It changes with every hop you make. So by the time any traffic reaches the servers, the MAC address has changed about 30 times. Its not kept with the packets. IP address blocking also doesn't really work, as ISPs rotate them, no one has a static IP unless requested.


And if they are using trial accounts with fake info to circumvent bans, theres nothing SE can do. You have to go to the authorities for things like this.

What exactly can the authorities do? Are they personally targeting them outside of the game? Is stalking someone in a game fall under the same grounds as stalking outside of the game? Making lewd images of a game character fall under the same grounds as deepfake stuff irl?

Forgive me if I am confused what exactly do you think the authorities can do regarding this? What laws have been broken?

[Remolia]

Emboldened, because nothing happens to them in game -- they also approach me on the outside.
Yes, that's a friend request from them.
The links they spread, call my character out specifically -- even inviting others to whisper those oh so "sweet" lewd nothings to me.

I've taken the time to black out the direct links, and obscure the images.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...24/discord.png
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...072/f-list.png
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...34/f-list2.png
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...34706/link.png

Sorry, off topic, since you did a bad job to obscure this stuff, I had to look and now have a question: why on some pictures u have a real one and on others u don't, what.
Its not a direct question, just maybe some one will help to me here with the answer.

[NekoMataMata]

??

Do tell, when have I openly support stalking someone/making multiple alts, etc like the OP is mentioning their harasser is doing...? I don't generally delete my posts, so have at it.

This:

I can understand why you don't like his behavior. For me, I don't see it as stalking, and Renalts behavior in general has been someone that tries to make amends when called out on something like the ERP thing. As for him and Aveyond, I see it as a typical forum relationship unfortunately, I don't excuse mocking people, but I can't talk, I've done it/do it too.

From everything I had seen back then, the person in question was a bit of a creep. It wasn't just the ERP thing, people have them on record for stalking and following people around, and you defended that behavior, regardless of whether or not they made amends.

[DamianFatale]

My dear, it is time to make a police report. Cyber stalking at this level absolutely does count. If you can get a police report made, you can get it on file, and THEN contact Square Enix with it. Get as many people being harassed to make their own police reports as possible. You need to stop trying to get the same results from things that aren't giving you any results. Go up another level.

The key here is to go TO THE STATION, and file the report yourself. Show screenshots, bring images, bring text files, and compile as much of it as you possibly can. Make sure to sort it by the very nature of the content. Any of the lewd/pornographic stuff should be in its own category with an explicit warning of that folder, that way you can't get harassed by the station, and/or brushed off. Keep in mind cyber laws are still somewhat new, and not everyone is educated on them. These types of laws are still evolving as we speak.

Make sure that you have as many websites and sources of the harassment as possible. If its just in the game, that might not be as helpful. They need discord, facebook, twitter, telegram, and whatever else you can provide as a source. Also make sure to file reports ON THOSE websites in addition to XIV. Discord for example has a strong anti harassment and stalking policy. They might listen and ban the account. It may also help in your police reports.

If you can get any of these companies to work with the police, the person can be found, and charged for their crimes. It is a long and arduous task, filled with a lot of victim blame, but at this point if it has persisted for so long, I suggest you do so.

Another option is to find a lawyer who can help you get all of the information, and help you file the case. Lawyers can act as a liaison to get the information that you need from the platforms that this person is harassing you on. It does cost money, but it can be done. Also, remember I'm not suggesting you sue Square Enix, or any social media companies. A lawyer specializing in digital harassment and stalking can merely help you pull together all the information, and bring attention to your case. Lawyers are often more than just people who help you sue, they are also good at working WITH other companies through channels you may not be aware of, or have access to. Corporations speak with lawyers from outside sources for all kinds of things, including situations like this. Have no fear of any reprisals from these companies so long as your lawyer knows what they are doing.

(disclaimer, I am not a legal expert, but I had to go through a lot of these steps due to my own stalking incident via this game. I had a guy doing the same thing, but he also figured out where I frequented IRL, and would stalk me whenever I went out. It caused me a lot of drama on dates with other guys because he would follow us. :/)


I wish you the best of luck!

[Kitty_Cat]

3 years now

One has to ask, what exactly did you do to gain the interest of this stalker and hold their attention for this many years.

And, posting about it is the worst possible thing you could do, not only will they read this thread, but they will double down on continuing to stalk.

The best way to deal with this is to put Busy status on, turn off the Say chat and Emote display for the chat log, keep your Apartment/Room/Estate and FC locked so nobody can visit without you personally letting them in, FC members can be given access in the menu, and find some new areas to hang out at.
This makes it impossible to receive Tells, you won't see the messages in Say, or Emote spam, the stalker will be dead to you.
Yes, you could still see them, but you need to change what you do, don't do the same routine over and over or they will know where to go and when.

You should never have clicked any links they sent you, ever. Don't talk about it with anyone but the GM/Support staff.
As the person maybe someone you know in your small group.

I would make a Linkshell for my friends/group/RP, and even a CWLS for chats.

Yes, some of the things I mention might be a bit of an annoyance, but not really, the stalker will soon give up if you NEVER mention them again, not to anyone, even your friends.

It is true, GM's need to be doing something productive in your case, why they haven't, is honestly amazing and disgusting at the same time.

But in any case, as I point out above, you can do things to help prevent it going on, to make your playtime more enjoyable.

[Ashemmi]

The best way to deal with this is to put Busy status on, turn off the Say chat and Emote display for the chat log, keep your Apartment/Room/Estate and FC locked so nobody can visit without you personally letting them in, FC members can be given access in the menu, and find some new areas to hang out at.
This makes it impossible to receive Tells, you won't see the messages in Say, or Emote spam, the stalker will be dead to you.
Yes, you could still see them, but you need to change what you do, don't do the same routine over and over or they will know where to go and when.

You should never have clicked any links they sent you, ever. Don't talk about it with anyone but the GM/Support staff.
As the person maybe someone you know in your small group.

To one extent, you're right. It's also against any tenants of a reasonable game. Eliminate all social aspects of the game is what it boils down to. Lets view the remedies though:

1) These are trial accounts, thus tell isn't a problem. Trials can't tell.
2) FC members can only be given access to the FC. Not to an apartment or home. Opening the door for them to get in, opens the door for all. I've done this, and they've still ended up in the home. I kept all doors locked for over year. Removed message books as well.
3) Stay quiet about it. I did...for a year. To gain my attention, they started hitting friends. Who in turn...told me. I know at least a dozen people effected.
4) Links are evidence for both reporting and legal recourse. I've quite a file.

It's good advise, to an extent. I'm not discounting it. Pulling an ostrich though doesn't help others. SE needs to be better about it.
Personally, I would rather see this person banned than to have them move on to someone else.
Better.... I'd like to see this person get help. That time is hopefully close.

There's reasonable evidence of a mental health issue here, that's the saddest part about it all.

[Boblawblah]

This:

From everything I had seen back then, the person in question was a bit of a creep. It wasn't just the ERP thing, people have them on record for stalking and following people around, and you defended that behavior, regardless of whether or not they made amends.

I don't know Renalt, and was never part of the drama that happened with the Discords, etc, but from what I remember, he was accused of two things.

1. entering random people's houses (unlocked, but yes, uninvited) and role playing as a pizza delivery guy and then leaving when asked.
2. mentioning Avenyond in a discord (that someone has 'infiltrated' to pass on the gossip).

Unless there is a LOT more to the story, it's a mockery to compare that to what the OP is going through. You don't have to like me, that's fine, but I've never 'openly defended' the kind of harassment the OP is going through.

To one extent, you're right. It's also against any tenants of a reasonable game. Eliminate all social aspects of the game is what it boils down to. Lets view the remedies though:

1) These are trial accounts, thus tell isn't a problem. Trials can't tell.
2) FC members can only be given access to the FC. Not to an apartment or home. Opening the door for them to get in, opens the door for all. I've done this, and they've still ended up in the home. I kept all doors locked for over year. Removed message books as well.
3) Stay quiet about it. I did...for a year. To gain my attention, they started hitting friends. Who in turn...told me. I know at least a dozen people effected.
4) Links are evidence for both reporting and legal recourse. I've quite a file.

It's good advise, to an extent. I'm not discounting it. Pulling an ostrich though doesn't help others. SE needs to be better about it.
Personally, I would rather see this person banned than to have them move on to someone else.
Better.... I'd like to see this person get help. That time is hopefully close.

There's reasonable evidence of a mental health issue here, that's the saddest part about it all.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but the more attention you give to them, the worse it gets. Seeing this post is a huge victory in the creeps eyes, guaranteed.

I don't think banning the player would work either, there is nothing SE can do to stop them if they're really dedicated to getting around bans. Ban one trial account? Get a new one. Ban the email address? Get a new one. IP and/or MAC address block? Those can be changed. Bar the person getting bored and moving on, or the police charging the person with harassment, you either live with it, or you move on. I think Jojoya (sp) had a good post above to follow to get the authorities involved. Start collecting evidence and chat history of all of their harassment.

That said, there are some things SE could do, the minimum would be to have whitelisting of house guests, so only the people on a specific list are able to enter the house. SE has been awful with privacy features like that. Tracking through lodestone, blacklisting being basically pointless, etc. The insulting answer the Yoshi-P gave one time about caring about how the OTHER person might feel (yes, the STALKER) is a joke.

edit: length

[LittleImp]

Can law enforcement do anything? From what they claim the targeted harassment is more so aimed towards their characters in a video game? Has their ever been a case where law enforcement has done something regarding this kind of behavior?

It really just depends on the locale. Cyberstalking, and in particular exposing someone to lewd material without their consent, is indeed a crime in some states. There's also a decent chance that Online Impersonation is a crime as well.

In my state for example, all of these things are illegal and plenty of people have been sent to jail.

[LianaThorne]

It really just depends on the locale. Cyberstalking, and in particular exposing someone to lewd material without their consent, is indeed a crime in some states. There's also a decent chance that Online Impersonation is a crime as well.

In my state for example, all of these things are illegal and plenty of people have been sent to jail.

Saved me a reply. Really just is case by case but some states don't play around with this at all. Mine is 5 years jail time minimum for cyberstalking.

[Bobby66]

My dear, it is time to make a police report. Cyber stalking at this level absolutely does count. If you can get a police report made, you can get it on file, and THEN contact Square Enix with it. Get as many people being harassed to make their own police reports as possible. You need to stop trying to get the same results from things that aren't giving you any results. Go up another level.

Does this meet the level or cyber stalking? Their characters are what is getting stalked, unless it bleeds into their irl accounts what law has been broken?

In your case you stated they figured out irl information and used that against you. This does not appear to be the case here.