Update from MNHQ addressing the recent images posted on the site

So is there a moderator/admin scheduled to be 'working' 24/7? Or is it a "if you see something when you happen to be browsing, please deal with it?
Again, how are you communicating to ALL users about the night watch set up?

And yet still no signposting to resources to support those affected by this. You don't actually really care do you? Other than how it might affect the business?

Have you had to view the images posted @JustineMumsnet ?

I didn’t see the images although I did see a link on the report which thankfully I chose not to click on. So sorry for everyone who was misfortunate enough to see them. I’m always super cautious about clicking on links so perhaps this is something that also needs stopped for the moment?

So blood in other words?

My questions is why they want to rely on “tools” rather than employing people to keep a proper watch. I didn’t realise they relied on volunteers before, which has really annoyed me! All those people who had to witness these images because they are too cheapskate to resource the moderation of such a big forum.

The thing is, even if there were shenanigans, and I tend to agree there was some of that going on, innocent posters on this site were still subjected to horrific images. MN have long been aware of issues with security and late night modding, and haven't done anything about it, so I think people who are upset or asking for answers have every right to do so.

Exactly. It was pretty obvious there were shenanigans.

Still people want blood. It's being dealt with. Some people need to take a breath and log out for a bit for their own sakes.

Thank you, but will you be employing proper paid moderation as a result, rather than relying on “tools”? Not a troll, just can’t believe a site which makes this much revenue is skimping on staff!

I always assumed the reason I'd never seen CSA or pornographic images was because there was a system in place stopping them being posted.

Mumsnet need to start being more proactive about these types of problems, and have systems in place before they happen.

Bath faith actors - interesting terminology

It’s worth noting that many large platforms rely almost entirely on volunteer moderators.

I think reddit is different, in the sense that you have far more control over the community you are modding, you basically own it in a sense, but also are those large platforms, largely women based, with a CEO that often writes and campaigns wonderfully about the sex pay gap, the struggles of women in workplace and the unpaid work that women do at home? Feels a bit :/ to do these great campaigns, and then run part of the business on unpaid volunteer work.
If its an important job to your business, pay them? If its not important you can remove the NW and it wont be a problem as they're not critical or important to the running.

thank you for the update. I felt physically sick when I seen them posted on a completely normal post.

What happened?

I believe the site doesn't allow illegal images to be uploaded, so it is safe.
So why can’t MN use the same type of technology? We shouldn’t have to go through a third party just to post a photo.

That’s true re links- but hopefully they wouldn’t be darkweb type stuff.

I’m not tech savvy at all- but have noticed Mumsnet seem to get issues with tech ( massive ads that obliterate text or else some tech savvy kid has a field day .

They really do need to invest in some serious protection that is regularly updated

• I remember a hack of emails and passwords on here years ago that led to major spamming of users.

Hopefully the site will be be made much more secure and “safe”.

Thanks very much for the latest update @JustineMumsnet it's really helpful.

They do have some admin tools to manage situations (they can hide posts and threads and suspend users) and we are looking at ways in which we can augment these tools, including improving alerts when a thread is being widely reported.

So no change then.

I see some people have been using postimg.cc in order to link to photos (I think it works like Flickr whereby you upload a photo, then provide a link to the photo here) I believe the site doesn't allow illegal images to be uploaded, so it is safe.

I Googled and it's whole MO is about 'safe images' which sounds like it could be the answer.

Allowing users to post photos is very basic functionality. Pausing that for a few days now while they get on top of things is one thing, but moving backwards in terms of the functionality would be another. Users will reasonably expect to be able to post a parking diagram/photo of their decor/picture of their desired haircut.

Automated screening of images to prevent unsuitable things being posted would be great. However that will never catch everything - someone will always find a way through. The real disgrace is that when it happened, it was unpaid volunteers who had to deal with it with completely inadequate tools and training.

Ironically, its during times like these when my faith in human nature is restored, given the number of good people on MN, who speak out against such abhorrent behaviour.

We stand together.

Do we really even NEED images?
Yes we do. I wanted to post one on a thread just now but obviously can't at the moment.

That’s a fair point. I think people use them for diagrams or photos of themselves, but even links could be clicked upon to lead to unpleasant media. For me, AI isn’t good enough on its own. There needs to be better monitoring of the site to make sure that these things are dealt with as swiftly as possible should the site be infiltrated - no matter what medium they are coming from. It needs to be a multifaceted defence, rather than just ‘We’re doing AI’. This has shown a serious breach in Mumsnet’s defences and they need to be doing much more.

Thanks for the update

I'm glad you've used the term CSA in this post as I found the last one with vile images upsetting in terms of minimising

My query is the same as pp, will night watch moderators be paid?

Do we really even NEED images?

Often it’s a link people post to ( a house for sale or whatever)

People have posted pics of their pets or a parking diagram , but I’d rather see zero images than to give criminals the chance to post illegal images.

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.

Even reading as a normal person you could tell there were certain agitators who were going over the top and trying to get a lynch mob going. They are just as sick in the head imo trying to take advantage of such a horrific situation.

to all the night staff