Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

MN: We are not convinced that everything checks out here

30 replies

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 27/03/2022 14:27

....So we are taking this thread down.

What does that even mean?!

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 27/03/2022 14:31

It means the thread was started by someone trying to provoke a response by making up something dramatic that didn't happen, or perhaps starting a thread about something controversial in order to be deliberately goady - in other words, being a troll.

Sometimes they have form for this and have previously been banned from the site, so they'll be sent on their way again.

Georgeskitchen · 27/03/2022 15:28

How can they tell when a post is not genuine?

SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 27/03/2022 15:31

They (MNHQ) will be getting reports from multiple posters, pointing out inconsistencies, or similarities with the posting style or narrative of PBPs (previously banned posters), and other 'tells'.

Some posters are extremely good at spotting fakery.

Silverclocks · 27/03/2022 15:37

I'm never quite sure why it matters if a post isn't quite true. Surely it should be expected that the vast majority of "juicy" scenarios will have had significant details changed and if a post makes an interesting thread why does it matter if it's not true?

There's one at the moment that's causing lots of excitement, but I'd be amazed if it's based on a true story. Still fun though.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 27/03/2022 15:41

Some are not fun. Massive difference between changing a few details and causing trouble or perversion.

VladmirsPoutine · 27/03/2022 15:50

It's a more eloquent way of saying the thread is bullshit.

AgentProvocateur · 27/03/2022 15:51

Im sure 90% of threads are exaggerated or made up completely.

VyeBrator · 27/03/2022 15:52

@Georgeskitchen

How can they tell when a post is not genuine?
They have access to all the previous name changes.
Hawkins001 · 27/03/2022 15:53

@Silverclocks

I'm never quite sure why it matters if a post isn't quite true. Surely it should be expected that the vast majority of "juicy" scenarios will have had significant details changed and if a post makes an interesting thread why does it matter if it's not true?

There's one at the moment that's causing lots of excitement, but I'd be amazed if it's based on a true story. Still fun though.

Which one please ?
midsomermurderess · 27/03/2022 15:55

Which one please🤣🤪

IncompleteSenten · 27/03/2022 15:57

It normally means that they have detected something that links the poster to a previously banned poster, or someone has name changed and their two personas contradict each other etc.

As to why it matters, well there's a few reasons.

People generally don't want to give advice to someone who's lying about their situation.

Someone for example trolling that their child has died -( this has happened more than once). It's not harmless. It deeply hurts bereaved parents. There are lots of these. Dead or dying children. Violence. Cancer. Making up shot and seeking support from people who have actually suffered is grotesque.
Those posts can't stay. It's nothing short of mockery.

Trolling with financial sob stories trying to dupe people into sending cash is, well, it's fraud isn't it? I've got 37p to last a month, I need to feed my kids something, does anyone know if toilet paper is toxic? - ok, I've taken the piss there but if I had the sum total of all the pennies people have claimed to have left to feed their children for X amount of time, I'd be a millionaire.

Those posts can't stay. The more MN is known to be a place where people give money to strangers, the more con artists will appear.

Christmas appeal remember? It got so I'd put my decorations up the first post I read from a new poster saying they've got no money does anyone know how they can get money then explaining why each suggestion wouldn't work. Oh gosh it seems only cold hard cash will help you. Fancy that. Really got me feeling festive.

££ - Advertisers. Troll central is far less attractive to companies trying to sell their shit to parents.

A zero tolerance rather than assessing each pile of bollocks to see if it's amusing enough to stay discourages people from trying to make it into the funny hall of fame.

Mns just too big for that these days. When it first started it was small and fun and a lot of pissing about but it's a business now and it's not good for business to have boards full of trolls.

IncompleteSenten · 27/03/2022 16:00

And even with all the threads they know are bollocks that's probably only the tip of the iceberg. Half of what's on aibu is either heavily embellished or flat out bollocks but they can only remove what they can 'prove' is shite. No evidence = benefit of the doubt but I bet they're also reading it, shaking their heads and going well this is a pile of crap.

BertieBotts · 27/03/2022 16:15

"Not convinced" to me probably means they can't prove that it's a troll (previous banning, known hallmarks, reports from members about off-board interaction etc) neither can they prove it's above board (long standing MNer) but they reckon on balance probably a troll. I'm guessing after years of making these calls you probably develop a spidey sense!

They don't need to prove anything, they can delete what they like on their own site, but obviously they don't want to stop a genuine poster from getting support.

Trolls can be harmful in terms of drawing people in and overly emotional investments etc, soliciting money/donations. Of course you're not allowed to ask for money on the site but if people word something just so, they know a kind hearted soul is going to be private messaging them asking for address/paypal details etc. That's not on if it's a scam.

It's not even always completely made up with trolls, sometimes their story can be true but it can be a sort of emotional vampire thing hamming everything up in order to get lots of attention and drama.

Or yes the fetish trolls - posting an "innocent" question about little girl's tights or something and wanting to know what brand people buy with loads of excessive weird detail, hoping people will post similar details about their real little girls :(

User134356356 · 27/03/2022 16:30

They can also check IP addresses. Even if someone signed up for new accounts with various emails, they still know if posts are being made from the same location.

Recently there was a (genuine) case on MN where a user posted suicidal thoughts and MN passed the IP address to the police who did a welfare check within hours. People are not as anonymous as they think online.

RoseAndRose · 27/03/2022 16:33

@Georgeskitchen

How can they tell when a post is not genuine?
TSSDNDOP
Sparklingbrook · 27/03/2022 16:41

@VladmirsPoutine

It's a more eloquent way of saying the thread is bullshit.
That's how I take it too.
Sparklingbrook · 27/03/2022 16:42

TSSDNDOP

TSSDNCOP

NatriumChloride · 27/03/2022 16:51

What on earth is TSSDNCOP

teaspig · 27/03/2022 16:53

The Secret Service Does Not Comment On Procedure

Gitfeatures · 27/03/2022 16:55

Has a thread every been reinstated following the ominous 'we're just checking behind the scenes' message?

Sparklingbrook · 27/03/2022 17:00

TSSDNCOP as this would give the trolls insight into how MNHQ check.

PurpleDaisies · 27/03/2022 17:01

Euphemism for “Trolly McTrollface”.

Ticksallboxes · 27/03/2022 17:11

"My husband loves someone else as well as me" started late last night and was deleted this afternoon after over 700 replies.

It just says it's been deleted with No explanation, so not sure if it was MNHQ or the poster who asked for it to be taken down.

Sparklingbrook · 27/03/2022 17:12

@Ticksallboxes

"My husband loves someone else as well as me" started late last night and was deleted this afternoon after over 700 replies.

It just says it's been deleted with No explanation, so not sure if it was MNHQ or the poster who asked for it to be taken down.

I didn't see it but even the title has my radar going. Grin
IncompleteSenten · 27/03/2022 17:14

@Gitfeatures

Has a thread every been reinstated following the ominous 'we're just checking behind the scenes' message?
Yes.

Oh yes, I forgot about the perverts too. Tell me in detail about your young child's underwear / genitals / masturbatory habits. Urgh