Can you take down a change org petition?

Change.org is a popular online petition platform that allows individuals and organizations to create petitions and collect signatures. With over 600 million users worldwide, Change.org has become a powerful tool for activism and social change. However, there are some important things to understand about how Change.org petitions work, including whether it’s possible to take down or delete a petition after it has been published.

How do Change.org petitions work?

Here’s a quick overview of how Change.org petitions operate:

• Anyone can create a petition on Change.org for free. You simply need to create an account and fill out a petition form.
• Petition creators can add a title, description, tags, photos/videos, and set a signature goal.
• Once published, the petition receives a unique URL that can be shared to promote the petition and collect signatures.
• As people sign the petition, their names, locations, and comments are added. Signatures are public.
• Change.org provides tools for petition creators to manage, promote, and track their petitions.
• The platform facilitates sharing petitions via social media, email, and embedding petition widgets.
• Change.org uses the signatures and data collected to provide insights and impact reports.

In summary, Change.org acts as a hosting platform and publicity engine for user-created petitions aiming to create change of some kind. Petition creators maintain control over their petitions and can utilize Change.org tools to manage and promote their cause.

Can a Change.org petition be taken down?

Once a petition is published on Change.org, the short answer is no, it cannot be completely deleted or removed. However, there are some options that petition starters have to update, modify, or stop promoting live petitions.

Updating or closing a petition

If a petition creator wants to make substantial changes to the intent or messaging of a live petition, they have a couple options:

• Edit the petition: The title, description, tags, photos, and other details can be edited after publication. The petition URL remains the same.
• Close the petition: Petition starters can elect to close a live petition if they no longer want it to collect signatures. Closed petitions remain on the site but are marked as closed.

Deleting or hiding a petition

Once a petition has any number of signatures, Change.org does not allow petition creators to fully delete or remove it from their platform. However, creators do have some options to reduce the visibility of a live petition:

• Hide the petition: Petition starters can hide a live petition from public view, although it still exists on Change.org’s system. Anyone with the direct URL can still view it.
• Remove links: Petition creators can delete any links to the petition or embed codes from their own websites or social media.
• Request removal from search: Change.org can remove a petition from search results on their platform, making it harder to find organically.

In most cases, Change.org does not allow petition creators to completely erase or anonymize a petition that has received any number of signatures. The petitions remain part of Change.org’s public petition database.

Why won’t Change.org delete petitions?

Change.org’s mission is to empower people to create the change they want to see in the world. Part of that model relies on maintaining publicly viewable petitions so that:

• Signers can verify their participation and see aggregate signature data.
• The impact of petitions can be quantified through signature counts and reporting.
• Petitions contribute to Change.org’s searchable database of user-created activism.
• There is a reliable record of petitions should any issues arise in the future.

In addition, once a petition goes live and collects data, Change.org asserts that the content becomes part of the public domain and should remain viewable. This upholds principles of free speech and transparency.

However, Change.org claims that “in very rare cases, we may agree to remove a petition at the request of the user who started it.” This seems to be evaluated on a strict case-by-case basis.

Steps to try removing a Change.org petition

If you have published a live petition on Change.org that you want permanently removed, you can take the following steps to request deletion:

1. Edit the petition to close it from collecting further signatures.
2. Hide the petition from public view so only those with the direct URL can access it.
3. Remove any links promoting the petition from your websites or social media.
4. Use Change.org’s Contact form to request permanent deletion of the petition, explaining why it should be removed.
5. If Change.org denies the request, continue appealing to higher tiers of management. Providing a valid legal or ethical reason may eventually elicit action.

Based on Change.org’s policies, outright deletion of a live petition and its data is very uncommon. But using the above process provides the only avenue to formally request removal of a petition you created.

Creating an effective Change.org petition

To maximize the impact of a Change.org petition, here are some best practices to keep in mind when creating and promoting your petition:

• Choose an important issue – The petition should focus on a substantive problem that needs solving with mass support.
• Personalize your petition – Share your personal story and connection to the cause to make it relatable.
• Be specific in your ask – Clearly state what action you want the target/decision maker to take.
• Set an achievable goal – Having a reasonable signature goal will build momentum faster.
• Use visuals – Photos, infographics and videos help petitions attract more attention.
• Promote aggressively – Share your petition widely on social media, email, websites, flyers, events, etc.
• Craft compelling messaging – Make your title and description persuasive, concise and scannable.
• Follow up – Continue applying pressure and engaging stakeholders after hitting signature milestones.

With strategic planning and promotion, Change.org can be a powerful platform for turning ideas for change into influential activism campaigns. Just be aware that once your petition goes live, deleting it entirely is very difficult.

Conclusion

In summary, here are the key points to understand about removing Change.org petitions:

• Change.org does not allow petition starters to fully delete live petitions that have received signatures.
• Petition creators can edit, close, hide, or request removal of petitions to reduce visibility.
• Change.org wants to maintain public petitions as part of its searchable database and principles.
• With valid reasons, petition starters can appeal for complete removal but it is rarely granted.
• The best strategy is to create and promote effective petitions you can stand behind indefinitely.

While Change.org petitions are meant to be enduring activist tools, petition starters should carefully consider their messaging and goals before publication. With strategic planning, Change.org can empower meaningful social change backed by public support.