I know that automated scripts that perform social actions are not allowed, such as liking, commenting, following, etc., but what about editing a studio description? Can an automated script edit the description of a studio with things that follow the community guidelines?

Please don't respond if you don't know the actual answer (e.g. “I don't know but probably yes”).

I’d assume not.
1- Automated comments are banned
2- The reason they’re banned is largely due to server strain.
3- Studio descriptions are, arguably, a social action in themselves.

GIitchInTheMatrix wrote:

I’d assume not.
1- Automated comments are banned
2- The reason they’re banned is largely due to server strain.
3- Studio descriptions are, arguably, a social action in themselves.

Cloud variable updating is allowed, though.

leahcimto wrote:

Cloud variable updating is allowed, though.

I believe cloud variable updating isn't considered a “social action”. I also believe that even if the Scratch Team doesn't outright ban this, they frown upon it.

jvvg wrote:

leahcimto wrote:

Cloud variable updating is allowed, though.

I believe cloud variable updating isn't considered a “social action”. I also believe that even if the Scratch Team doesn't outright ban this, they frown upon it.

I agree, and would assume studio description updating isn’t either because it works pretty much the same to cloud variables, the project owner can edit them freely but can use them in projects. Just looking for some confirmation from the Scratch Team. (Also, I’ve seen studios that do this but just making sure.)

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leahcimto wrote:

Cloud variable updating is allowed, though.

You are definitely going to need a source for this. Automated of any kind is not allowed on Scratch and accounts made solely for updating cloud variables routinely get deleted.

Paddle2See wrote:

Scratch is a site for human interaction. Bots in general are not welcome as they can (and have) been used to spam, consume resources, and distort site usage statistics.

Paddle2See wrote:

Accessing the Scratch cloud variable server in ways other than from Scratch projects is not okay and would be considered a violation of our Terms of Service.

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This said script would not be contributing to server strain because it would only update the description when a human tells it to. So it would be no different than normally updating it.

I am under the impression that this studio does some sort of automation in terms of editing the description: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/1060340

Perhaps you may consider asking the studio owner (@World_Languages) to see if this is the case.

Za-Chary wrote:

I am under the impression that this studio does some sort of automation in terms of editing the description: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/1060340

Perhaps you may consider asking the studio owner (@World_Languages) to see if this is the case.

They do automate, but I just wanted to confirm if that's allowed first.

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What would you do with this? Why do you want it?

Just off the top of my head, I can think of a way that it could be used to abuse our system. It could be used to allow multiple people to update the studio description - not just the studio host. So I suspect it would not be permitted.

Of course - that's just my opinion. If you want a ruling, you should use Contact Us.

I've gotten banned before for creating a script that would invite people to a studio who requested to be invited. I know that's not exactly the same thing, but still a warning.

I could be wrong, but I think in the case of the future FPCs studio World_Languages got explicit permission to use a script - this is not the first time I've seen this question, I think it's popped up before.