Tell HN: Banned from LinkedIn for Reporting Wickr Drug Spam

Article summary

The author of the post reported drug spam messages on LinkedIn, which led to their account being banned. The author believes that the drug network retaliated against them by flooding their comments with reports. The author had searched for 'Wickr' on LinkedIn after reading about the app's issues with illegal content. The search results showed dozens of spam messages offering drugs in various locations.

Main themes

• LinkedIn spam and moderation
• Drug trade on social media
• LinkedIn influencer culture
• Data mining and privacy
• Social media security and moderation
• Retaliation and anonymous reporting

What commenters say

• Reporting spam on LinkedIn may not be anonymous, allowing the reported users to retaliate against the reporter.
• LinkedIn's moderation and reporting system is flawed and can be exploited by malicious users.
• The presence of drug spam on LinkedIn is a result of the platform's failure to sufficiently moderate its content.
• Some users believe that LinkedIn's 'influencer' culture is quirky and potentially driven by a desire for self-promotion or monetary gain.
• Others think that LinkedIn's data mining and privacy practices are questionable and may be used for spamming or other malicious purposes.
• It is suggested that LinkedIn's reporting system may be compromised, either through bribery or technical issues, allowing reported users to identify their reporters.
• The discussion also touches on the idea that social media platforms, including LinkedIn, can be used for illicit activities if they do not implement adequate moderation and security measures.