I just got an email from IRSeek, the IRC logging startup that generated a small uproar a few weeks ago, stating that they’ve removed all previously collected logs and will have easy to identify bot nicknames.
They’ve curiously also set up both opt-in and opt-out policies regarding channel inclusion based on the desires of various networks’ IRCops. Freenode demanded a strictly opt-in service (yay!), but the OSX86 network preferred to have all channels indexed who didn’t opt-out.
The one section of the new policies that I disagree with is that opt-in or opt-out authority isn’t limited to channel operators. Presumably any user (the site uses the term "channel contacts") can submit the necessary forms, which is inviting chaos. IRSeek also mentions that they will confirm the validity of the contact, but doesn’t mention exactly how this will be accomplished. A more reasonable policy would be to allow non-ops to submit channels, but provide the name of an operator to verify the request.
My advice to channel operators is to set the indexing status of your channel now. IRSeek looks like they’re trying to do right by the desires of the IRC community, but save yourself from future heartache and make the choice yourself.