Hello I am new here. Thank you for a place to ask questions.

I currently use a website where it appears Mods and or Owners of the chat site/forum are able to view PRIVATE MESSAGES aka PM's sent from one chatter to another. This seems rather invasive to me and the Mods deny they are doing this however many many chatters have experienced being reprimanded for things said in PM's so it would appear this is possible despite the Mods' denials.

I would like to know please if it is possible for Mods or Owners to read the private messages sent between chatters?

Thank you kindly for your efforts to help people understand the system. I have gleened quite alot of useful help here myself.
Regards,
Verity