Yes, they are still in effect.

I know that Flags are a hot button topic and that downvoting is specifically forbidden in certain Steem-Engine communities like SCT.

The funny thing is, that SCT are not really an SE community, they used the token to sell Steem votes :)

I don't think most people really know what Steemcleaners does, as most people don't spend their time looking or thinking about how much trash there is, or could be.

Yes, it could be that a similar group forms anyway - but it requires stake backing.