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No, all the following an more is possible: public logs of flags, admin logging of rules viewed by users to do X action, requiring flags be tied to an existing rule, having flags audited users, banning flagging rights from users abusing them, banning users repeatedly falsely disputing flags, etc.

Users abusing flags though is clearly toxic to the spirit of HN and should not be tolerated — it has no place in the HN community.

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Where is the distinction defined that determines abuse? It appears flags when used in a non abusive manner almost only apply to submissions and not comments. Punishing abusive comments appears to almost exclusively occur with maximum down votes while flagging comments appears to only occur on comments that have too many upvotes suggesting a silencing of a difference of opinion.

>> It appears flags when used in a non abusive manner almost only apply to submissions and not comments.

This is in accurate, though as is, agree that it’s hard to see as a result of HN not having a public log and reporting of flags.

>> Where is the distinction defined that determines abuse?

Any flag not clearly traceable to a violation of public guidelines.

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