MNHQ: Update on Image Uploads

The site needs either paid moderation overnight or no image uploads overnight. Bad actors will continue to target a site like this and AI image moderation is not enough.

I really don't want to accidentally view pictures of people's private parts. I don't care if it's not illegal, I just don't want to see it. If the moderators / software are allowing it through on the basis that it is supposedly 'medical' (debatable I'd say), couldn't they at least automatically amend the thread title so no one accidentally clicks on it? Not all thread titles are clear about what the content is.

Ideally they should block posts of that nature and advise the poster to go to the doctor, but I daresay the clicks are helpful in terms of advertising revenue.

Still no update on any proper paid moderation being brought in for overnights then?

Or maybe just get some paid staff?

Yes...maybe the initial AI filter is aimed specifically at CSA images rather than porn, or maybe a mod allowed it as a medical image?

Hopefully they can get filters whiv( categorise images according to whether they're illegal CSA, other illegal images, 'legal porn' or 'innocent' - while I'd agree with others that we really don't need any genital pictures on this forum, the way in which MNHQ deals with them should presumably differ (CSA - dealt with someone with specific training, report to police etc ; 'innocent' - block image, communicate with poster, no bans unless they repeat, that kind of thing)

Thank you for the update @LilyMumsnet .
It must of been a absolute nightmare to deal with.

I wonder if it would be easier all round to just not allow photos to be posted when it's only the nightwatch team on?
They all ready have their work cut out with all the spam, bots and general weirdos .
So during NW hrs either no photos at all or post photos and they will be reviewed and uploaded if they are ok once mnhq are back in the saddle and have been fortified with several strong brews.

I've mentioned/complained about it before and they said something along the lines of they're not doing anything wrong and it's just a normal body part etc. Ridiculous. Even GP surgerys tell you to never send them intimate photos so why on earth would anyone think it's a good idea on a site that can be seen by millions of people. Especially given what's happened recently!

@LilyMumsnet can MN put a stop to these photos?

There should be an outright ban on posting photos of genitals under the banner of seeking medical advice.
Definitely! Anyone posting those needs to see a doctor for more than one reason.

So the AI allowed a porn pic through, or did it not and then was overridden by a moderator?

If the AI let it through then it’s not fit for purpose.

It actually blows my mind. How on earth is that allowed and how can anyone possibly think it's a good idea. I imagine if a man posted a picture of his penis with herpes, or asked if his ball sack looked normal it would be swiftly removed and he'd be banned.

I've actually just reported that one!

Clearly nothing has changed as someone has now posted photos of the inside of her vagina asking if it looks normal 🙄

There should be an outright ban on posting photos of genitals under the banner of seeking medical advice.

No-one can know if the poster is genuine and as you say, porn type photos are banned so any photos of that nature should also be banned. Not to mention the fact that seeking medical advice on a forum is unreliable at best.

Idk... maybe if your image is rejected you can report your post, explain what it is and request human review?

Obviously no one should be posting that sort of photo on a public forum to try to get health advice for a child.

I was wondering this. If they say the ai filtering will be stopping things that shouldn’t be posted here, how is it going to know the difference between someone who wants to post a picture of their genitals for advice (god knows why anyone would want to do that anyway!) and someone who’s posting pictures for malicious reasons

It would mean less room for adverts.

I just got this when I posted an image, it took less than a minute for the image to appear so I think it’s ok.

Widely used for years by other sites. May I ask why it wasn’t used here?

And again as it still hasn’t been answered nearly a week on, why is the site not moderated overnight and why it wasn’t possible to shut down the repeated posting of csa material till morning because no one had any means of contacting anyone with the ability to do so?

Safety doesn’t seem to be a priority which is bizarre to say the least these days and after repeated security breaches.

Jolly good. Will it stop people posting photos of their own genitals?

Not sure why MN wants to host images at all. There is never any way to know if the images posted are of the poster/their house/their rash, and it generally results in a pile on that would make any genuine poster think twice. I strongly suspect that many of these are cyber-bullying via re-posting other people's SM pictures - does mumsnet want to be a part of that?

Especially given the state of moderation already, it would surely be better to have people link to image hosting sites.

It seems from some posts I've seen there may now be delays before photos appear - this is understandable but it'd be good to warn people because we're liable to get the 'oh no, it hasn't posted, I'll try again' which used to happen when upload/dowload speeds were slower.

The night watch do need something more so they can be effective unless someone actually paid and with more control of posts will be backup overnight. I think the hide thread or hide all photos option sounds like a good one as does pinning thus at the top of active threads. I've seen a few asking what's going on. The message hasn't gotten through effectively.

Thank you.

Yes, I also agree this would be a great idea. Like the option you can take to deactivate your bank card temporarily. Then overnight moderators could just switch off image posting instantly at the sign of trouble.

The announcement here is welcome but I agree with @myotherusernamesarebetter that there needs to be a more professional and robust system than the Night Watch 💐 can provide, and that you really should update on progress on that point. It's not a minor issue.