Since the other thread got locked in the middle of the conversation, I'm hoping to get some clear answers before it gets locked again...
The question was concerning mass reporting, and if this should be a concern for getting banned without evidence, simply due to the amount of reports. The answer was:
"The in-game Report a Player option is only available when you have been in proximity to other players.
Reports are dealt with based on the evidence provided. Mass reporting from people who were not in proximity will add nothing to the overall report."
Take the example of a server alliance. That would mean that all of the players in the alliance will be in proximity to all other players in the server. Theoretically, I could get reported by 17 players, or more if they swap players in and out.
Also, the answer included this: "Reports are dealt with based on the evidence provided." Since screenshots or screen records can't be included in the report, what constitutes "evidence"?
I'm asking these questions because I play a very aggressive style. I generally attack most boats I come in contact with. If I notice they are a solo player, or they are on a tall tale, I'll almost always try to save their boat and apologize. But, if I see a Grade 5 Merchant, I'm attacking. Likewise, if I get into a server that has 3-4 boats allianced, I will try to sink them all. Because of this, I get countless messages from other players, most of them on the negative side. I don't do anything that is against ToS, I don't cheat, or taunt, or any of that. But, I don't want to get banned because a bunch of alliance players decide that I "deserve" it because I sank them.