Page 13 | Update from MNHQ addressing the recent images posted on the site

JustineMumsnet · 2025-02-04T12:13:10+00:00

Hi all, There have been a number of threads discussing what happened re the posting of CSA images on site and so I want to be absolutely clear: we would never seek to shut down reasonable criticism and we're taking on board all the feedback and will be carefully considering how we can improve our procedures and moderation to prevent this happening again. As a temporary measure, we have suspended all image posting and will soon be implementing AI filters to flag illegal/disturbing images before they appear on the site. We’re also liaising with external specialists to see if there are any further tools we can employ to help us prevent this from happening again in the future. We reported it to the police first thing the morning after the attack and we have a follow up meeting with them tomorrow. It's also pretty clear from what we can see behind the scenes that there is an ongoing, coordinated effort from trolls to further inflame these discussions, and cause as much disruption as possible. We are taking steps to remove bad faith actors, but we know this can be frustrating for those who just want to express your views about what happened. If you come across any posts that seem designed to stir up more conflict rather than contribute constructively, please do report them - your reports really help us to act swiftly. Many thanks for your patience while we work to sort this out.

Goodweekincoming · 04/02/2025 16:47

wrongthinker · 04/02/2025 16:40

It's been mentioned a few times, but playing tetris can actually help with this. I know it sounds weird but research backs it up. Hope it helps and I'm so sorry you had to see these images.

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Thank you so much for your kind response, I will download tetris. Honestly I am a tough cookie normally but this took me out.

wrongthinker · 04/02/2025 16:46

As far as going to the press - I think this was mostly about people wanting to be heard and MN to respond taking the issue seriously.

I don't think "be quiet, don't tell, it's our secret" is remotely appropriate here. It's certainly in the public interest that this is known about. I'd imagine seeing it on the BBC is the first many MN users have heard of this - don't we have a right to know?

Yabadabadooooo · 04/02/2025 16:45

BeckyAMumsnet · 04/02/2025 16:33

Hello - yes, we did suspend registrations.

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Not wanting to when please? Because the amount of spam today from what must be new regs does not suggest that.

myrtleWilson · 04/02/2025 16:44

@crowgift Justine said that they weren't shutting down legitimate criticism and at the same time they had cause to believe that bad faith actors were working to another agenda. You seem to persist in not getting two things can both be true

DreamW3aver · 04/02/2025 16:43

Yabadabadooooo · 04/02/2025 15:06

Did you not suspend new registrations?

That won't do anything to stop the sleepers who probably already have lots of accounts ready to go and move to when one gets suspended

spritsailking · 04/02/2025 16:43

I think there needs to be some counselling for those that were affected by the child sexual abuse stuff.

Some very concerning posts here and I'm so sorry to hear that it has affected people so much

wrongthinker · 04/02/2025 16:41

Is there a support thread for those who saw the images? If so, would be good to link it here. If not, maybe someone could start one? Would be good to share resources such as the tetris playing and other things that may help people.

crowgift · 04/02/2025 16:40

The BBC article is curious.
I would caution @JustineMumsnet against taking the PR angle that those speaking up about the seriousness of what they were exposed to are 'bad actors'. Your lack of serious response made things so much worse.
Are you going to put up a list of resources for those of us who were exposed to the images?
It's a pity that the BBC don't mention the lack of filters which left users and the volunteer moderators exposed to this.

wrongthinker · 04/02/2025 16:40

Goodweekincoming · 04/02/2025 16:30

I saw those images, reported immediately and made a comment on the thread for others to do the same straight away and in fairness they were whipped down quickly after reporting but they must have been up a little while for so many to have seen them. I agree with @TheDowagerCountessofPembroke having to look at them to actually be able to report it was hard. I don't even know what Nightwatch is to be honest. I have never come across anything even remotely like that in my life before and frankly I was horrified that it could happen.

What I will say is seeing them really affected me. It was such a shock and it was all I could do not to vomit. I am still thinking about it and I can't get the images out of my head. I won't ever forget them and I really wish I had not gone to comment on a thread about soup that night. You can't unsee that. I have been upset ever since and that might sound dramatic but honestly it was horrific and my brain won't go back to normal. Sorry to all you you who saw them aswell. I can only assume you feel similar to me x

It's been mentioned a few times, but playing tetris can actually help with this. I know it sounds weird but research backs it up. Hope it helps and I'm so sorry you had to see these images.

BitchinTwinset · 04/02/2025 16:37

Onlyhereforthebatshitneighbours · 04/02/2025 15:48

I must say I'm concerned about the line in the op saying certain threads were deleted because of "bad faith actors"

This sounds dangerously like it comes from the Elon Musk school of free speech - 'say what you like unless I don't like it'.

Perhaps I have misunderstood the original post but mumsnet needs to clarify why other threads addressing this were deleted and who they meant by "bad faith actors".

And it's appalling the Nite Watch are unpaid. Doesn't matter if they're experienced users who have "kindly" offered or not, Mumsnet is taking advantage of their good nature (and potentially exploring a person's need to feel useful) in order to reduce costs & not pay them, which is disgraceful.

It's a standard term meaning people who deliberately derail discussion or pretend to get the wrong end of the stick.

It's always been against the spirit of the site (and most other mainstream forums).

PassingStranger · 04/02/2025 16:36

what was the point of putting the images on mumsnet?

MNHQ

BeckyAMumsnet · 04/02/2025 16:33

kittensinthekitchen · 04/02/2025 15:19

Of course they didn't.
Registrations = posts = page clicks = revenue.

The spirit of Mumsnet

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Hello - yes, we did suspend registrations.

IncaDove · 04/02/2025 16:33

Can I ask those who are reporting to the press or Ofcom etc. what are you hoping the outcome will be?

Slap on the wrist, fine, MN being shut down?

I have been very critical of MN, but I am starting to feel uncomfortable with some of these actions. it does feel like some people won't be happy unless Mumsnet is taken offline.

RudbekiasAreSun · 04/02/2025 16:30

oh my goodness, Lord, chastise these people and help clean this country

Goodweekincoming · 04/02/2025 16:30

I saw those images, reported immediately and made a comment on the thread for others to do the same straight away and in fairness they were whipped down quickly after reporting but they must have been up a little while for so many to have seen them. I agree with @TheDowagerCountessofPembroke having to look at them to actually be able to report it was hard. I don't even know what Nightwatch is to be honest. I have never come across anything even remotely like that in my life before and frankly I was horrified that it could happen.

What I will say is seeing them really affected me. It was such a shock and it was all I could do not to vomit. I am still thinking about it and I can't get the images out of my head. I won't ever forget them and I really wish I had not gone to comment on a thread about soup that night. You can't unsee that. I have been upset ever since and that might sound dramatic but honestly it was horrific and my brain won't go back to normal. Sorry to all you you who saw them aswell. I can only assume you feel similar to me x

TheDowagerCountessofPembroke · 04/02/2025 16:29

Front page of the BBC News app.

Mumsnet targeted with child sexual abuse images www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93qw3lw4kvo

Nousernamesleftatall · 04/02/2025 16:29

Why does a company with £5,800,000 shareholder funds not pay their moderators? Why should people work for your company for free?

Blueberry911 · 04/02/2025 16:28

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 15:00

As said upthread the Report button works 24-7

"it’s always worth reporting posts, no matter the time of day. We have various automated moderation controls in place that operate outside of business hours, and we are actively working to strengthen these further. While we won’t go into detail for security reasons, we want to reassure you that reports do play a role in flagging issues at any time."

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Reporting those posts seemed to be a big eff all though, didn't it? The report button is useless if there's no admin online.

TheDowagerCountessofPembroke · 04/02/2025 16:28

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 15:00

As said upthread the Report button works 24-7

"it’s always worth reporting posts, no matter the time of day. We have various automated moderation controls in place that operate outside of business hours, and we are actively working to strengthen these further. While we won’t go into detail for security reasons, we want to reassure you that reports do play a role in flagging issues at any time."

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Then why did the numerous reports that I and others made in the first incident not do anything? 10 minutes later the images were still there. Then I posted to the night watch thread which got them removed quickly. NightWatch came into the thread in question and thanked me for posting it on NightWatch. Why would they do that if the reports worked?

maudelovesharold · 04/02/2025 16:27

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 15:00

As said upthread the Report button works 24-7

"it’s always worth reporting posts, no matter the time of day. We have various automated moderation controls in place that operate outside of business hours, and we are actively working to strengthen these further. While we won’t go into detail for security reasons, we want to reassure you that reports do play a role in flagging issues at any time."

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I don’t understand. I’m sure that posters are advised flag posts/threads at night to the Night Watch rather than using the report function, because reports won’t get looked at till the morning? Do the NW see reports, then? If so, why was there always the palaver of having to post NW a link to the thread?

crowgift · 04/02/2025 16:27

yes @dynamiccactus and I believe this is the correct direct reporting form?
https://ofcomlive.my.salesforce-sites.com/formentry/OSComplaintsHarmfulContent

letthemeatcakes · 04/02/2025 16:22

@Velmy MNHQ should have arranged for daytime staff to cover the nights as an interim emergency measure while they get the existing nightwatch time expanded and made into paid employees.

Team not time

Onlyhereforthebatshitneighbours · 04/02/2025 16:22

OneDenimRobin · 04/02/2025 16:21

Thank you to MNHQ for disabling images so nothing like that can be uploaded. Hopefully the new systems will block any images like that when the function is restored. Posting those images here was an attack on all of us, users and MNHQ.

I’m not surprised that the attack is ongoing and that there is coordinated shit stirring going on. There were several calls to draw media attention to what happened. At best those are misguided but it’s easy to see them as an attempt to cause more damage to the site.

Agreed. There's not really a need for image sharing, I'd be content for them to remain disabled.

letthemeatcakes · 04/02/2025 16:22

@Velmy MNHQ should have arranged for daytime staff to cover the nights as an interim emergency measure while they get the existing nightwatch time expanded and made into paid employees.

OneDenimRobin · 04/02/2025 16:21

Thank you to MNHQ for disabling images so nothing like that can be uploaded. Hopefully the new systems will block any images like that when the function is restored. Posting those images here was an attack on all of us, users and MNHQ.

I’m not surprised that the attack is ongoing and that there is coordinated shit stirring going on. There were several calls to draw media attention to what happened. At best those are misguided but it’s easy to see them as an attempt to cause more damage to the site.