Can Quora Staff Members See Our Deleted Answers?
Yes, Quora staff members have the ability to view deleted answers, but it depends on various factors. This article delves into the intricacies of how Quora's database operates and the permissions required for staff to access this information.
Understanding the Database Permissions
When you delete an answer on Quora, it does not become a permanent commit. Instead, the database stores the answer but flags it as deleted. This means that the content remains in the system, but it is not visible to the public or to the user who originally posted it. Below is an explanation of this process and the technical details behind it.
Technical Explanation
Within the Quora system, each answer is stored with a current_state field that can be either FALSE or a specific timestamp. When an answer is deleted, the current_state changes to FALSE or it is updated with the timestamp. For example, an answer with a state of FALSE is considered deleted, and its timestamp can be used to track when the deletion occurred.
From a technical perspective, the answer is not encrypted or hashed. It is simply marked as deleted, making it visible to those with the appropriate permissions. As a Django developer, this approach makes it easier to manage content updates and deletions without needing to delete the data entirely.
Admin Access Permissions
Not all staff members have the necessary permissions to view deleted answers. There are different permission sets assigned to different employees within Quora. Only administrators with the correct permissions can run queries to access these deleted answers. This ensures that the data is only accessible to those who need it for specific purposes, such as content moderation or auditing.
Conclusion
In summary, Quora staff members can view deleted answers, but this depends on their permissions and the specific mechanisms within the system. The deletion is not permanent, and the content remains in the database, merely marked as deleted. To ensure the security and integrity of user data, Quora employs strict permissions and access controls, making unauthorized access extremely difficult.