# Clarification of SDMB rule against calls to action

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-of-sdmb-rule-against-calls-to-action/967571>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [July 7, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-of-sdmb-rule-against-calls-to-action/967571 "2022-07-07T18:46:43Z")\
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**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-of-sdmb-rule-against-calls-to-action/967571/3 "2022-07-07T19:31:30Z")

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> [@Ed\_Zotti](#):
>
> [W]e thought it wise to clarify the SDMB’s rule against calls to action and related activities […] Do not post phone numbers, email addresses or any other personally identifiable information of any entity in this regard.

Does this apply as strictly in breaking news threads?

If the media reports that there is a protest going on that very day in a particular neighborhood outside a named individual’s house (the article names the intersection), I assume we will still be able to link to and discuss the story. Right? As was recently done [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vax-skeptic-column-causes-turmoil-jeopardizes-chicago-reader/963325/8).

Another example, the highland park shooting thread [included links](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-shooting-at-highland-park-il-fourth-of-july-parade/967412/48) to the suspect’s father’s Facebook page, during a time when people were trying to learn more about the suspect.

I don’t think either were calls to action but the links certainly approached a prohibition on posting personally identifiable information.

~Max

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