In the elder 0.17.5 of mantis only user with account level "DEVELOPER" and above got notified about new issues. I think this behaviour hasn't changed in 0.18.0

The preferences are only useful to disable an email, but not to enable it. For example, if the Mantis installation has notifications on new set to REPORTER threshold, a certain reporter can disable these notifications through his preferences, but not the other way around. For this installation we notify DEVELOPERS, MANAGERS, and ADMINISTRATORS of new bugs, but not REPORTERS. Otherwise, we will be sending thousands of emails.

As I understand, if the threshold is set to DEVELOPERS, then REPORTERS will not receive notifications on new bug reports no matter what his/her preference is set to.

So, wouldn't it be better to hide the "Email on new" setting from "My Account" if the user's level is less than the threshold? I think by doing so, the system will be even more intuitive to the users.

Note that:
1 user has 1 user preferences
1 user can be a developer on some projects and a reporter on others

Hence, in some cases the option is applicable for some projects but not the other. Also if it is not applicable, but it is setup by the user, then if the admin changes the notification threshold, the user will be notified or not, based on his/her preferences.

Conclusion: I think we should leave it. Probably we can clarify the meaning of such preferences in the documentation.

See 0003766.