Secret channels

From Blitzed

Secret channels are those set +s and +p. They do not appear on the channel /list, and the only time most of you are likely to notice them is when you do a /whois on a user that is in one. Then you will see the channel prefixed with a %, like this:

grifferz is goats@pc-62-30-220-68-pb.blueyonder.co.uk * Another nail for my heart
grifferz on @#debug %@#services
grifferz using lik-m-aid.ca.us.blitzed.org the CANDY that pours
grifferz has identified for this nick
grifferz is an IRC Operator - Server Administrator
grifferz has been idle 5mins 49secs, signed on Thu Jan 02 02:04:52
grifferz End of /WHOIS list.

In this example, the channel #services is secret. The existence of this channel is well known however, so no harm me using it as an example.

However, our users trust us not to reveal the existence of their secret channels, and we must try to respect their privacy at all times. It is true that often secret channels are used to hide abuse, but it is also true that many secret channels deal with delicate subjects that should not be noticeable by the general public. Support (in the human sense of the word) channels, for example.

Some guidelines:

• Don't join a secret channel unless invited there by someone already in it.
• Don't harass members of secret channels to try to get consent for you to go into them.
• If you are in a secret channel in a "official" capacity (i.e. it is not a channel you are normally known to inhabit as a user), do not reveal the existence of the channel to non-staff. If you need to discuss a secret channel openly, you can do so in /chatops.
• In all cases try to remember that the only reason why you even know about this channel is because you are an oper. If the people in the channel don't know you, then anything you do towards them might upset them, since they expected their channel to be private.

These are listed as guidelines only because sometimes it is permissible to bend or break them occasionally. If you're unsure, stick to them!

Sometimes, if a particular channel has been abusive and is in the process of being shut down, you may be called to join it. In that case, the people in it have forfeited their right to secrecy and you can join the channel to help other staff in whatever way.

If you suspect a particular secret channel is abusive, inform an admin or services admin. They are able to use /who #channel to see the nicks of the users in the channel, without going in themselves. Services admins and exploits team from time to time examine the list of secret channels (just their names and usercounts) looking for signs of trojan channels.