Instate moderation policy re: always using the flag mechanism for post deletions

Author: per1234

content/categories/staff/moderation/_topics/moderator-instructions/1.md

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ For an overview of the Discourse moderation system, see the "[**Discourse Modera
 
 - [Policies](#policies)
   - [Do not delete accounts](#do-not-delete-accounts)
+  - [Use flags to delete posts](#use-flags-to-delete-posts)
 - [Flags](#flags)
   - [User-submitted flags](#user-submitted-flags)
     - [Review flag](#review-flag)
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ For an overview of the Discourse moderation system, see the "[**Discourse Modera
   - [Close topic](#close-topic)
   - [Delete post](#delete-post)
   - [Delete topic](#delete-topic)
+  - [Flag post](#flag-post)
   - [Investigate user](#investigate-user)
     - [User Notes](#user-notes)
     - [User activity](#user-activity)
@@ -88,6 +90,26 @@ The Arduino company has [a policy](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/about-user-account
 
 ---
 
+<a name="use-flags-to-delete-posts"></a>
+
+### [Use flags to delete posts](#use-flags-to-delete-posts)
+
+---
+
+⚠ The trash can icon ("delete this post" / "delete topic") mechanisms _**must not**_ be used to delete posts and topics.
+
+---
+
+The Arduino company is legally mandated by the [**Digital Services Act**](https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-services-act_en) (DSA) to report on all content deletions performed by moderators (as part of the [DSA Transparency Report](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/policies/dsa-brings-transparency)).
+
+The information that is provided by the review item generated for each flag greatly facilitates the daunting task of producing a report on the thousands of content deletions performed each year by the diligent moderation team.
+
+In addition, flags create an easily accessible record of the moderation action under the user's account. This information about the history of moderation actions can be valuable in identifying patterns of misbehavior which may indicate that additional [disciplinary action](#deal-with-inappropriate-behavior) is required.
+
+For these reasons, we have a policy that [post](#delete-post) and [topic deletions](#delete-topic) must be performed [via the flag mechanism](#flag-post).
+
+---
+
 <a name="flags"></a>
 
 ## [Flags](#flags)
@@ -341,6 +363,12 @@ The moderation system offers several tools to deal with inappropriate behavior,
 
 In addition to the reports via [flags](#flags), you may also encounter spam while [investigating users](#investigate-user) or browsing the forum. These are the instructions for directly removing spam and spammers from the forum.
 
+---
+
+⚠ [Always use the flag mechanism when directly deleting posts and topics](#use-flags-to-delete-posts). _**Do not**_ use the alternative trash can icon ("delete this post" / "delete topic").
+
+---
+
 <a name="exceptions"></a>
 
 ##### [Exceptions](#exceptions)
@@ -368,7 +396,7 @@ Mentions of relevant products or services of interest to the Arduino community a
 1. Click the spammer's user name in the profile preview popup.
 1. Click the "**Activity**" tab to see their other posts.
 1. Open any other spam posts they have made.
-1. Follow the "[**Delete post**](#delete-post)" or "[**Delete topic**](#delete-topic)" instructions to delete the additional spam.
+1. Repeat the above procedure to flag and delete the additional spam.
 
 ---
 
@@ -418,6 +446,12 @@ A cross-post is when a user posts on the same subject to the forum multiple time
 
 1. Follow the "[**Delete post**](#delete-post)" or "[**Delete topic**](#delete-topic)" instructions.
 
+---
+
+⚠ [Always use the flag mechanism when directly deleting posts and topics](#use-flags-to-delete-posts). _**Do not**_ use the alternative trash can icon ("delete this post" / "delete topic").
+
+---
+
 <a name="if-the-post-to-be-removed-has-valuable-replies"></a>
 
 ##### [If the post to be removed has valuable replies](#if-the-post-to-be-removed-has-valuable-replies)
@@ -645,21 +679,45 @@ Closing a topic will prevent any further replies by non-staff users.
 
 ---
 
+⚠ [Always use the flag mechanism when directly deleting posts and topics](#use-flags-to-delete-posts). _**Do not**_ use the alternative trash can icon ("delete this post" / "delete topic").
+
+---
+
 ⚠ Be careful not to accidentally [delete the topic](#delete-topic) when you intended instead to only delete the last reply in the thread.
 
 ---
 
-1. Click the **⬤⬤⬤** icon at the bottom of the post to be deleted.
-1. Click the trash can icon ("delete this post").
+1. Follow the ["**Flag post**" instructions](#flag-post), deleting the post through the resolution of the flag.
 
 ---
 
 <a name="delete-topic"></a>
 
 ### [Delete topic](#delete-topic)
 
-1. Click the wrench button ("topic actions") at the bottom of the topic.
-1. From the menu, select "**Delete Topic**".
+---
+
+⚠ [Always use the flag mechanism when directly deleting topics](#use-flags-to-delete-posts). _**Do not**_ use the alternative trash can icon ("delete topic").
+
+---
+
+1. Follow the ["**Flag post**" instructions](#flag-post) to flag the first post of the topic. Delete the topic through the resolution of the flag.
+
+---
+
+<a name="flag-post"></a>
+
+### [Flag post](#flag-post)
+
+In addition to [handling flags submitted by others](#flags), moderators also flag posts they have identified as being harmful.
+
+1. Click the **⬤⬤⬤** icon at the bottom of the post.
+1. Click the **:black_flag:** icon.
+   The flag dialog will open.
+1. Select the radio button for the reason for flagging the post.
+1. If a text field appeared, add an explanation in the field.
+1. Depending on which radio button you selected in the previous step, a "**Take Action... ▾**" button may have appeared in the dialog. If you wish to immediately resolve the flag, click that button, then select the appropriate action from the menu that opens.
+   If a "**Take Action... ▾**" button did not appear, or if you do not wish to immediately resolve the flag, click the "**:black_flag: Flag Post**" button. This will add the flag to the review queue, from which it can be [resolved as usual](#user-submitted-flags).
 
 ---
 
@@ -819,6 +877,12 @@ The "Silence" action is used in cases where the intent is to temporarily curtail
 
 ---
 
+If the account is to be silenced as part of handling a [flag](#flags), the silencing is accomplished efficiently via the flag resolution dialog.
+
+Likewise, if the silencing is to be performed as the result of a post made by the user, the moderator must [flag that post](#flag-post), and then perform the silencing through the flag resolution.
+
+In certain rare cases, the need might arise to silence an account without there being an associated flag. In this case, the following procedure can be used:
+
 1. Open the user's profile page.
    **ⓘ** This can be accessed by clicking their user name, then the user name in the profile preview popup.
 1. Click the <kbd>**Admin**</kbd> button.
@@ -848,6 +912,12 @@ Account suspensions are used when the intention is to permanently exclude the us
 
 ---
 
+If the account is to be suspended as part of handling a [flag](#flags), the suspension is accomplished efficiently via the flag resolution dialog.
+
+Likewise, if the suspension is to be performed as the result of a post made by the user, the moderator must [flag that post](#flag-post), and then perform the suspension through the flag resolution.
+
+In certain rare cases, the need might arise to suspend an account without there being an associated flag. In this case, the following procedure can be used:
+
 1. Open the user's profile page.
    **ⓘ** This can be accessed by clicking their user name, then the user name in the profile preview popup.
 1. Click the <kbd>**Admin**</kbd> button.