to remind you that stuff you post on here isn't private?

[caffeinestream]

No matter how many warnings get posted, people still don't seem to realise that what they write on Mumsnet isn't private.

The recent thread where a lady wasn't happy with her engagement ring has been picked up by various media platforms and I've seen it linked on several viral sites through Facebook. I won't link to it again as it's not fair on the OP but it's out there for anyone to see.

Please remember that what you write on here is not private! Journos pick up stories from here all the time (and it's not just the Fail - the BBC and plenty of international sites do it too) so even if your partner has no idea Mumsnet exists, there's always a risk of it being seen on another site and they could easily recognise themselves.

Please be careful when you post stuff on here - change any identifying details and if it's really outing, either reconsider writing it or at least NC so it's not linked to your other posts.

You are all posting on a public forum and should look at the mumsnet agreement - perhaps MNHQ could post guidance again. Clearly since everyone has chosen to post publicly any newspaper can pick
up on the generic stuff - eg the ring not being big enough saga - and quote everyone who commented.

I'm sure they'll also pick up on the home education saga - they will hit those threads which are contentious. They tend to leave alone the ones with legal implications since those are problematic.

Clearly Mumsnet is also used by journalists posting for easy articles - eg "What have your worst wedding experiences been?" or worse "I lost a baby because of NHS care - did you?"

You can post under chosen names and change them to be NC but if you post something heinous or linked to something MNHQ consider worrying (I am planning to kill my neighbour/all foreigners need to be killed) I presume they can alert police who will suss the IP address of your computer which unless you are seriously IT literate and hide it will give your address . I'm not sure if they ever have done and haven't quite frankly read their policy but will do now.

Macncheese I remember glancing at your thread. I thought some comments were unkind, but it was batshit spiteful to call the cops on you.
Yes, probably guess who did so.

I stopped posting last year on that particular topic, because the repetition has become rather boring.
However, if a few posters are trying to intimidate dissenters into silence, I'll have to start posting again.

The point I was trying to make with my earlier post is that yes we all know it's a public forum, but most of us don't necessarily expect tabloids to be interested in whatever mundane first world problems we share on AIBU. I certainly didn't expect it until it happened to me.

People forget that MN is a business. None of us pay anything for using the site, so they make the majority of their money from advertisements I imagine.

The more clicks the website gets the better as far as they are concerned - the more threads are linked from outside websites, the more traffic they get and higher income.

Even if MN aren't 'selling' threads to the Mail, they aren't going to discourage it.

Yanbu to remind people! I think MN has such good debates sometimes, and such intelligent posters, and all the in-jokes that it feels more cozy and private than it actually is.

The more clicks the website gets the better as far as they are concerned - the more threads are linked from outside websites, the more traffic they get and higher income.

Even if MN aren't 'selling' threads to the Mail, they aren't going to discourage it.

YY exactly.

Perhaps MNHQ might comment?

I also don't understand why people name change. If the person you are talking about is on MN then surely they would know it's about them even if you've name changed?

Yes but they wont be able to look back at all your posts and know the personal info you have posted about yourself, if you regularly nc.

None of us pay anything for using the site
if you're not paying you are the one being sold!

The people who read the Daily Wail are the same people who read Mumsnet

How can it be private? Phones can screenshot now so NOTHING is ever private.