Update from MNHQ addressing the recent images posted on the site

Thank you for the update. How will the message get to those that don't look at Site Stuff, that the report button doesn't work during the night?

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.

What does this mean? Do you mean you will close down any debate or criticism on how you have handled this terrible incident?

That's not a good look is it. I am incredibly distressed this has happened. I have relied on this website a lot for very personal situations. But your handling and response of this incident is terrible.

That's probably one of the steps that will be changing. I guess there will be some sort of on-call rota between MN engineers so action can be taken 24hrs a day.

Thanks for the official update, MNHQ. It happens on lots of different forums and outlets but it's the first time it's happened here afaik. Lots of lessons can be learnt, and things put in place to prevent it from happening again 👏

@JustineMumsnet

There have been many users asking how this could have happened and whether or not you have the appropriate mechanisms in place for such a large scale business. The feeling by many is that you do not and using volunteers who do not have the necessary training or resources to properly moderate your website overnight is quite inadequate.

As your website is very large-scale, what changes are you making aside from using AI filters? Do you accept that your website is serving a public service and therefore you need to take safeguarding seriously.

Will you be more transparent please about this incident across your website? Will you apologise publicly to users for having been exposed to these horrendous images? This is only posted in Site Stuff.

Is this why the moderators are being so trigger happy? Anyone who posts anything even remotely disagreeing with an OP is being deleted, even when the OP is being rude and argumentative.

your reports really help us to act swiftly
Somewhat ironic given a big issue is that reports made during the night don't get seen.

Any update on the NW volunteers - are they being supported? Are you going to implement a proper moderation system now, rather than relying on untrained unpaid volunteers? Could you make clear what users should do in future, now that we know that reports are not looked at outside of business hours?

for the Night Watch who should not have been subjected to this

Thank you for this clear update and the outline of what you are doing to deal with the issue.

Please can you outline what you are/will be doing about the site only being moderated by volunteers overnight (UK time) who can't see when threads have been reported using the report button and who have limited actions available to them when something untoward happens.

Should something similar get through new filters, there needs to be a better way of handling it than was possible on Sunday night/Early hours Monday morning. I don't think relying on AI filters is sufficient to protect us from being exposed to vileness of all sorts of different kinds - not just CSA

I am a very long term Mnetter who gets a lot from sharing on various parts of the site. I am not a bad faith actor or a troll and do not wish to inflame things but I really strongly feel that this situation needs to be addressed too. Please can you tell us what your thoughts are about this aspect too.

Thank you. This must be a nightmare, and I appreciate that yesterday in particular must have been really tough. I hope your post will calm things down on here now.

Thank you for all you are doing to help. It cannot be pleasant for you. x

Thank you for the update.