• Someone is impersonating me, Youtube (unsurprisingly) no help.
    55 replies, posted
Hello Facepunch, This may seem like a large post, but please give it a read, I could really do with your advice. In a nutshell, I am a Gmodder that has been on the receiving end of large-scale harassment on various aspects of Youtube. A few of you may know me as BlueChameleon01, and it's even possible that a couple will know what I'm about to talk about from the title. I'm a long-time Facepunch lurker, I just don't post very often. I have had to explain this situation countless times to angry Youtubers, but I shall be as comprehensive in my description as possible. Ever since August of this year (but particularly the the beginning of that August and the last two weeks) [URL="http://www.youtube.com/housebag"]another user[/URL] has been relentlessly spreading comments on popular videos advertising my channel. This would normally not be such an issue, but they have purposefully decided to be crass and disrepectful both to the videos they comment on, and the users who reply to them. This has lead to me recieving a lot of hateful comments on both [URL="http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=Q-t11UwEqLQ"]my videos[/URL] and [URL="http://www.youtube.com/BlueChameleon01"]my channel[/URL], which in turn fuels more hate from other users, and spurs the troll on. In particular most of the users witnessing have assumed I am the advertiser, some will not be persuaded otherwise, and some have gone so far as to join in trolling by creating [URL="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m554/Pinkiepielovesponies/Proof.jpg"]fake screenshots[/URL] that make it look like I've said things I haven't. Recently I have tried personally responding to as many of the offended users as possible, but even the few who are believing me can only offer support. Really it should just be a simple thing to explain (why would I be behind this if I knew what harm it was doing to my reputation?) but such is the nature of the average Youtube user, that even that is too much to get their heads around. Various techniques I have used to attempt to stop all this include: [B]*[/B] Explaining the situation to all my subscribers, viewers and friends. I tried this through a video and a written message that reached my subscribers, and personal explanations in messages to others. I even edited my background to clear things up, but all this is tedious, and does little to calm the situation. [B]* [/B]Blocking the troll. I have had this suggested so many times, but of course it only stops them from commenting on my videos, not the other billions out there, which is where this all takes place. [B] *[/B] Ignoring the whole thing. Again, pretty useless, as I did that for 4 months and the user in question is still at it. I guess that is to be expected, as the reaction they are looking for comes from other people, not me, so I am helpless in that respect. [B]*[/B] Filing an Impersonation Report with Youtube. When I first found this tool in September, I thought my problems were over. I could find the offending user, look up comments they'd made, submit them for review, and youtube would analyse them and could have him suspended. Sadly my optimism was mis-judged, as I forgot how automated Youtube's help and support service is. I also re-tried this just a few days ago, and got the email reply 'Unfortunately the information you provided in your report to YouTube does not meet our impersonation reporting guidelines' with a few other resources below, including a link to Cybermentors. I have really given up on Youtube's 'help' (but then, haven't most people?) as they are too concerned about protecting their advertisements and copyrights to help their userbase with problems like mine. [B]*[/B] Getting friends to report the advertiser's channel. Fortunately my videos have attracted a small core of friends who are very loyal, but even using them to try and bring this channel to justice did nothing. What could you report it for anyway? Impersonation reports can only come from the impersonated party, and hate speech is far too grey an area to actually catch someone out on. As should have been expected, Youtube did nothing. [B]*[/B] Getting friends to support me. As I said, these friends I (mostly) met online have helped as much as they can, including calming down and reasoning with the angered users. But some are too stubborn to reason with, and others are starting to assume I am using my friends to hide some sort of lies from them. Even so, I really don't want to put them through any more. And I suppose if I'm trying to get everything off my chest, then I should list a few links to show what I've had to put up with: [URL="http://www.youtube.com/BlueChameleon01"]My Channel (check at the bottom for recent comments):[/URL] [URL="http://www.youtube.com/housebag"]The advertising user in question:[/URL] [URL="http://www.youtube.com/pinkiepielovesponies"]A profile that has been trolling with them (could very much be an alt):[/URL] [URL="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m554/Pinkiepielovesponies/Proof.jpg"]A fake screenshot, created by the above profile:[/URL] [URL="http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=Q-t11UwEqLQ"]The comments of my most recent video:[/URL] And probably most importantly, [URL="http://i.cubeupload.com/eiukCg.jpg"]an actual screenshot of a message from housebag to a friend of mine[/URL] from just last week, proving he is doing this to trick people into hating me. Gmod videos really are a very important hobby to me, and I don't feel that stopping, or shutting down is something I could face. I have already stopped working on videos for the last four months, and every time I get motivated to make more this issue comes up. Also, next year I am looking to use my skills for other people's projects and advertisements, but getting such work is going to be difficult if my reputation remains this way. And apologies if the format of this post is a little strange, it's modfied from an e-mail that was sent to an anti-bullying website that Youtube gave me (after discarding the irrelevant links they sent). All I got in response was a couple of websites: This one, which seems nothing like what I need (and besides, I trust Facepunch more) and this one, which is useless because I am over 18. Please Facepunch, any advice, or even sympathy would be really appreciated. I understand you're not my personal army, but I'm sure you could give better help than most places I've been told to go. I would have brought this up sooner, but only now is it starting to really bug me. tl;dr: 'Any publicity is good publicity' is bullshit, a troll is spam-advertising my channel, my reputation as a nice guy is fading, and Youtube Help & Support are terrible (but I guess you already knew two of those four)
1. hack his account 2. Forcibly retire said account 3. ???? 4. PROFIT!
Well what a cunt, I cant think of any advice off the top of my head but I'll offer my support to you when you need it. This is the kind of shit that just enrages me when I see it going on, and from the looks of things you do not deserve this kind of abuse/trolling one bit. [QUOTE=decamonos;33905560]1. hack his account 2. Forcibly retire said account 3. ???? 4. PROFIT![/QUOTE] Even if he has the skills or knowledge to hack said account, what would stop that same person from starting another account and continuing?
Make a new account job done.
ignore them the only reason they/he keeps doing it is because its making you angry, if you just ignore it he will most likely stop stop replying to the people who comment on your videos, or disable comments
[QUOTE=markg06;33905577]Make a new account job done.[/QUOTE] I get the feeling he wants to keep his account and current reputation. Starting from scratch would mean quite a large loss.
Make a video of you in person in front of a camera explaining about the situation. Your "disclaimer" video just made me dizzy.
[QUOTE=TurbisV2;33905616]ignore them the only reason they/he keeps doing it is because its making you angry, if you just ignore it he will most likely stop stop replying to the people who comment on your videos, or disable comments[/QUOTE] His post said he ignored them for 4 months and hasn't gone away.
This is not our problem, this is yours. We are not your personal army, hit team, therapist or whatever. Deal with it in a manly manner and stop whining.
[QUOTE=MadBomber;33905623]I get the feeling he wants to keep his account and current reputation. Starting from scratch would mean quite a large loss.[/QUOTE] Or he could just simply message all his subscribers telling them of a new channel not that I can see why you would give a rats ass what people on youtube of all places think about you.
[QUOTE=decamonos;33905560]1. hack his account 2. Forcibly retire said account 3. ???? 4. PROFIT![/QUOTE] No. [QUOTE=TurbisV2;33905616]ignore them the only reason they/he keeps doing it is because its making you angry, if you just ignore it he will most likely stop stop replying to the people who comment on your videos, or disable comments[/QUOTE] But it isn't my videos where this is happening, he just seeks popular videos, leaves troll comments, and writes 'Subscriber to BlueChameleon01' everywhere so people think it's me. [QUOTE=MadBomber;33905623]I get the feeling he wants to keep his account and current reputation. Starting from scratch would mean quite a large loss.[/QUOTE] Agreed. It's taken me a while to get here, and chances are where I move, this person will follow. [QUOTE=Swebonny;33905653]Make a video of you in person in front of a camera explaining about the situation. Your "disclaimer" video just made me dizzy.[/QUOTE] Probably the best idea so far, will really give this a consider!
Change your name and start fresh.
[QUOTE=DangerStranger;33905729]This is not our problem, this is yours. We are not your personal army, hit team, therapist or whatever. Deal with it in a manly manner and stop whining.[/QUOTE] It's not up to you to decide whether it's our problem or not. Back the fuck up. I will second Swebonny's idea and say that you get yourself infront of the camera and clear things up.
[QUOTE=markg06;33905747]Or he could just simply message all his subscribers telling them of a new channel not that I can see why you would give a rats ass what people on youtube of all places think about you.[/QUOTE] That's a lot of subs to send messages to...
I wish you had an option to block Youtubers from coming onto your videos, or comment on your videos.
I don't quite understand it, this housebag guy has you in their "Other Channels". I'm pretty certain you have to be a youtube partner to do that. Unless there is some other way doing it. And another thing I've noticed is you commented on this housebag's channel 8months ago. Why? Then you're saying that you were having this problem since August this year which is what 4months or so ago. I'm skeptical as to what you're saying is true. And you're just being bitten in the ass for the way you've advertised your channel. Just how I'm seeing this.
This comes down to the idea of freedom of speech my friend. Just like there is some guy doing "Fps Russia fails at: (whatever)" this guy is making a satire of you. So it comes down to realizing two things: - Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - Life goes on and this is not the end of the world Let him waste his time doing this sad act and if people are too stupid to tell the difference then their opinions are literally the same value as a pile of elephant shit. Not to be rude but this is kind of a stupid thing to get worked up over, youre letting someone on youtube get the better of you. edit- and you can always ditch the old account and start a new one. If gmod is so enjoyable to you and if you are good at it then this should be no problem and you will get back publicity in no time.
[QUOTE=Staneh;33905884]I wish you had an option to block Youtubers from coming onto your videos, or comment on your videos.[/QUOTE] There is, and I've done it already. But as I've said, this is all taking place on other user's videos. [QUOTE=luigi1107;33905950]I don't quite understand it, this housebag guy has you in their "Other Channels". I'm pretty certain you have to be a youtube partner to do that. Unless there is some other way doing it. And another thing I've noticed is you commented on this housebag's channel 8months ago. Why? Then you're saying that you were having this problem since August this year which is what 4months or so ago. I'm skeptical as to what you're saying is true. Just how I'm seeing this.[/QUOTE] That 'other channels' feature has been around some time, and is even the basis of the 'Broadcaster' layout on the new channels. The comment was from some time ago, before this started, when housebag left a comment on my profile (he asked if I was a furry, if I remember). I just thought he was a fan, he probably was at the time. And as for your last point, I have lost far more subscribers than I have gained in the last four months, even when taking into account that I haven't made videos in that time. I think views per day have halved, but that's probably the school holidays for you.
[QUOTE=luigi1107;33905950]I don't quite understand it, this housebag guy has you in their "Other Channels". I'm pretty certain you have to be a youtube partner to do that. Unless there is some other way doing it. [/QUOTE] Incorrect sir, you can add other channels without being a partner, all you do is at the module to your page and throw a channel on there, up to 16, with no questions asked.
[QUOTE=MadBomber;33905686]His post said he ignored them for 4 months and hasn't gone away.[/QUOTE] i mean to stop caring about it entierly its not like getting the guy banned wont prevent him from making a new account and keep doing it anyway if he keeps posting stuff like this thread explaining to people that hes frustrated he will obviously only fuel the troll theres no way to prevent it, just ignore people and keep doing what you love to do
I think that no one should send a message about this mister housebag since this will probably only make him think it's time to get the troll on
[QUOTE=1chains1;33905994]This comes down to the idea of freedom of speech my friend. Just like there is some guy doing "Fps Russia fails at: (whatever)" this guy is making a satire of you. So it comes down to realizing two things: - Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - Life goes on and this is not the end of the world Let him waste his time doing this sad act and if people are too stupid to tell the difference then their opinions are literally the same value as a pile of elephant shit. Not to be rude but this is kind of a stupid thing to get worked up over, youre letting someone on youtube get the better of you. edit- and you can always ditch the old account and start a new one. If gmod is so enjoyable to you and if you are good at it then this should be no problem and you will get back publicity in no time.[/QUOTE] I can understand what you're getting at, but I wouldn't call this satire at all, it would be like calling credit card fraud flattering, to use an extreme example. However, I do expect to start work on more videos and the like next month, but having a comment box appearing like it does at the moment (I even deleted some of the more spiteful ones) is making some of my friends worry, especially for someone who takes how they appear to others as seriously as I do. I can overlook one or two accusations, but this feels like something I cant ignore. It's a bit of a personal weakness I'm afraid.
If you haven't made a post on the [url=http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/youtube/browse?hl=en]Youtube Help Forum[/url] yet, do that. Otherwise, just make a proper apology video (as others have suggested) and leave it at that.
[QUOTE=TurbisV2;33906139]i mean to stop caring about it entierly its not like getting the guy banned wont prevent him from making a new account and keep doing it anyway if he keeps posting stuff like this thread explaining to people that hes frustrated he will obviously only fuel the troll theres no way to prevent it, just ignore people and keep doing what you love to do[/QUOTE] So, in your opinion, would making a face-to-face video explaining all this once and for all be a good move, or not?
[QUOTE=Snuffy;33906195]If you haven't made a post on the [url=http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/youtube/browse?hl=en]Youtube Help Forum[/url] yet, do that...[/QUOTE] I've tried using this place before... it didnt get very far and constantly got refurred back to youtubes own services when ive had problems. And lets face it the YouTube support center is... usless...
Sorry for the idiots on youtube, Chameleon. I can't really help, but if it'd take your mind off it for a bit, I'd play with you a bit on TF2.
[QUOTE=MadBomber;33906453]I've tried using this place before... it didnt get very far and constantly got refurred back to youtubes own services when ive had problems. And lets face it the YouTube support center is... usless...[/QUOTE] Agreed - just look at the sort of stuff that goes on in there: [url]http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/youtube/thread?tid=49e994affb39be21&hl=en[/url] [QUOTE=Zarjk;33906569]Sorry for the idiots on youtube, Chameleon. I can't really help, but if it'd take your mind off it for a bit, I'd play with you a bit on TF2.[/QUOTE] Aww, thanks :smile: And the same to the rest of you for the (mostly) kind words. You've cheered me up a lot.
Find out where he lives. Grab a baseball bat, smack the shit out of him Casino Ending Style and bury him in a hole in the desert. Take a trip to Cuba for a few years.
[QUOTE=1chains1;33905994]This comes down to the idea of freedom of speech my friend. Just like there is some guy doing "Fps Russia fails at: (whatever)" this guy is making a satire of you. [/QUOTE] This isn't satire, it's a vicious shitbag who probably took a comment toward him far too seriously and/or hates this guy's vids so much that he's willing to dedicate himself to wrecking him in anyway possible. I know this because i've seen and had to deal with similar jackasses before, and its a big reason why i don't do any public game videos or modding any longer.
Youtube is the biggest shitstorm on Earth, you get flamed there even without impersonators. I hope you get rid of those idiots, but imo the best thing to do is to completely ignore the whole thing. Try to move your works to another site and choose another username than on Youtube so they'll have a harder time finding and harrassing you.
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