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Ask HN: Does the ability to downvote come and go?
I only recently passed the threshold for the ability to downvote. I've done so several times since then, but not in a way that I thought was being very 'loose' with my downvotes. I just noticed that I no longer have the ability to downvote. I'm assuming an algorithm didn't like my voting pattern (which is fine - I'll certainly be more careful/reserved with my votes). Does anyone know if that ability is likely to return at some point?
Edit: now I'm noticing that the downvote arrow is showing up in some situations - particularly on comments on the 'new' page.
- brudgers 15y agoAfter a period of time, threads no longer offer the option of downvoting comments. I suspect this is in part to prevent systematic targeting of an individual's karma score.
- ColinWright 15y agoYou cannot downvote: * replies to your comments, or * comments on your submissions, or * comments that are older than some age threshold. Can you characterize cases where you cannot downvote? Do the above seem to cover them?
- tnorthcutt 15y agoYes, the above do seem to cover them. Looks like I'm able to downvote anything newer than a day old (that also doesn't meet those other criteria). After that, the arrow disappears.
- wallawe 15y agoNo one can downvote after 24 hours I don't think... "4 August 2007: Protection against karma bombing A few days ago a user methodically downmodded several other users' old comments to kill their karma. To prevent this happening in future, the downarrow now disappears off comments more than a day old. Also the karmas and story/comment scores affected have been restored to whatever they would have been without those downvotes."