WARNING: Don't open links in PMs

[noblegiraffe]

A user has reported that they were sent a PM overnight that contained links to child abuse images.

Given recent history, it seems unlikely that they were the only poster to receive a PM.

Appalling.
I've stopped scrolling mumsnet when I can't sleep now because I'm worried what I'll see.

Gosh I didn't know we could get PMs or send them. It should be switched off by default I think.

Thinking about it, if they are sending links in PMs, there's nothing stopping them posting links on threads either (which we know they already did with the image preview issue).

So don't click on any links that aren't to known websites (this is good general advice anyway).

You are able to switch off PM facility in settings. Might be worth doing for now.

The default might be off, I'm not sure. Mine was set to be able to receive messages. I've changed it to block.

There is essentially strict liability if you receive illegal images. See the case against Police Superintendent Robyn Williams.

Robyn Williams

Thanks for highlighting this issue @noblegiraffe

Posters need to know

At the moment this discussion is almost buried in a Site Stuff thread.

Links in PM's

And despite me posting just now not to click on links to unrecognised websites I just totally blithely clicked on this link without knowing what it was a link to. (It's fine, it's a link to the discussion in Site Stuff)

MNHQ need to urgently remove the ability to disguise links so that people can easily see the full URL given that we know criminals are posting links to child abuse on the site.

@noblegiraffe

Your thread doesn't even make "trending"- whilst some nonsense plane seat drama non-event does.

To be fair to yourself we are both on the Site Stuff thread which prompted this thread.

Bumping. This is awful.

I'd like to think I gave it that much thought, but I'm not sure I did, which just shows how easy it is to get people to click on a link.

I didn’t know this!
I have had PM’s before, but only nice ones.

Definitely will look to see if I can switch it off.

This should be a 'sticky' at the top of every board and all PMs automatically switched off. Thank you to posters for raising awareness so MN will pretend nothing is happening.

I can’t see a way to switch off PM’s??
All I can do is ‘Mark as read”

Can anyone tell me how to switch them off ( on here, not by PM as I won’t be opening any from now on.

Thanks.

Just switched mine off.

If you go Settings, then Talk settings, then scroll down the long list, one of the options is "Block Private Messages"

Go to settings. Then click on "more settings". Then click on "talk settings" and scroll down, you'll find an option to turn on blocking of PMs

I'd be interested to know this too, please

Here

Awful. Bumping this

@PandoraSox

Thank you I have just blocked PMs

This is the top part of the account settings page

Same here. I only go on it during the day

Thank you @noblegiraffe I’ve chosen ‘No’ under Receive private messages? in Settings.