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Original poster

Has MN ever had a data breach?

28 replies

Flunkey · 05/06/2023 20:40

Just wondering if Mumsnet has ever had a data breach where posts can be identified to the log in details/email addresses/ log on accounts?

How do they ensure anonymity is watertight? I imagine a lot of people could have their lives ruined if their anonymous posts on here were ever revealed to their family, friends, employers, neighbours etc.

OP posts:
GoddessOfFire · 05/06/2023 20:41

Yes they have. I deregistered for a while. I joined again with an anonymous email address and use a VPN, name changing frequently. I never post photographs.

Wigeon · 05/06/2023 20:42

If you Google "Mumsnet data breach" you'll get some examples together with threads showing what MNHQ did about them.

Bitofafixerupperer · 05/06/2023 20:47

GoddessOfFire · 05/06/2023 20:41

Yes they have. I deregistered for a while. I joined again with an anonymous email address and use a VPN, name changing frequently. I never post photographs.

This

Always assume everything you post online can be traced back to you

Oblomov23 · 05/06/2023 20:48

Yes, I remember at least 1 big one.

Mrsjayy · 05/06/2023 20:50

A few years back it was a teenager if I remember right? It was such a hoha but members de regged and signed back up.

PinkPlantCase · 05/06/2023 20:51

Yes they have and it was so quiet on here for while afterwards.

There was also an instance where I think an intern was a trans rights activist and published the details of some posters. (I may be misremembering some of that)

Original poster
Flunkey · 05/06/2023 20:53

That's horrendous 😳

I just log in with my google account. I should not then.

Surely they have hefty security over this as it's the point of the site - anonymity.

If I left would all my data be deleted forever and be unretrievable by say hackers etc?

OP posts:
Bitofafixerupperer · 05/06/2023 20:54

You can ask for your data to be removed if you delete your account - I don't believe it's done automatically

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 05/06/2023 20:56

Pre major breach I had the same name for years. Post breach I name change often.

ODFODeary · 05/06/2023 20:57

Flunkey · 05/06/2023 20:53

That's horrendous 😳

I just log in with my google account. I should not then.

Surely they have hefty security over this as it's the point of the site - anonymity.

If I left would all my data be deleted forever and be unretrievable by say hackers etc?

Anything you write on the Internet is written in ink

Singleandproud · 05/06/2023 20:57

KingJoffrey was the teenager I think, published a huge number of usernames and email addresses - made me regret my rather identifying email address although I didn't post anything scandalous.

IWonderWhereThatDishDidGo · 05/06/2023 20:58

GoddessOfFire · 05/06/2023 20:41

Yes they have. I deregistered for a while. I joined again with an anonymous email address and use a VPN, name changing frequently. I never post photographs.

Same here

Original poster
Flunkey · 05/06/2023 21:03

Okay. I'm going to delete my account until MN reasure me on this thread how they secure our anonymity. Or i might set up an anonymous email and re register 🤔

OP posts:
GoddessOfFire · 05/06/2023 21:08

IWonderWhereThatDishDidGo · 05/06/2023 20:58

Same here

Show quote history

I don't think it is the same experience name changing though do you? I'm here much less than I used to be as DC have left home and I was on here when they were very small but there was a camaraderie 10-15 years ago that has long since disappeared. I realise that I am contributing to that though.

One of my photos on here once appeared in a newspaper! 😓

Beezknees · 05/06/2023 21:09

Yes, it wasn't that long ago actually, less than a year ago? I deregistered and registered again with a random email address that I created solely to use this site.

Catsmere · 05/06/2023 21:12

PinkPlantCase · 05/06/2023 20:51

Yes they have and it was so quiet on here for while afterwards.

There was also an instance where I think an intern was a trans rights activist and published the details of some posters. (I may be misremembering some of that)

Yes, that was reported and discussed on another feminist forum at the time.

LilacRos · 05/06/2023 21:16

Years ago there was a data breach, I forget what it was called - Jeffrey?. Since then I have a dedicated email address just for MN and name change about once a month.
It's a shame about the NC thing because I used to "know" lots of regulars but that's gone now.

noyoucanthavethelastbiscuit · 05/06/2023 21:41

I use the email I have for newsletters and stuff from online, which is a name different to my own in the email. Could the account, if there was a data breach, still be linked back to my real identity?

worraliberty · 05/06/2023 22:13

I logged in once (using my own details, obviously) and found myself in someone else's account! 😬

I logged straight out and reported it but if I had wanted to, I could've gone all through their private messages and name changes.

FastAndLast · 05/06/2023 22:18

Yeah Jeffrey-gate was a big one. I’d had the same username for years prior to that, now I change it often.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 05/06/2023 22:18

Hmm a bit concerning... most of my posts I wouldn't lose too much sleep if they got back to the people in my life but some of the trans activists are absolute psychos and I've aired some pretty blunt remarks on here. Only stating basic biology, you know, but apparently in this upside down world we live in that isn't allowed any more. To be fair even if you Google my full name there is no other online trace of me (at first glance that im aware of)I'm not on any other social media.

Davros · 05/06/2023 22:21

I remember one a good few years ago. We were all asked to name change, probably deregister too. I didn't do either, cba. Nothing happened

Davros · 05/06/2023 22:22

P.S. I've still got the same user name I joined with 20+ years ago

CeriB82 · 05/06/2023 22:25

I have a specific email address for logging on here.

and my name aint Ceri neither

i never use my important email for Mumsnet!

PlatBilledDuckypuss · 05/06/2023 22:28

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 05/06/2023 20:56

Pre major breach I had the same name for years. Post breach I name change often.

Me too. After the "Jeffrey" breach I left for a while and now change my name often.