So MN is now a platform for CSA images

[NotOneOfTheInCrowd]

I actually didn’t see them, but it seems that there were multiple CSA images posted on MN last night in about a four hour period and MN HQ did precisely nothing other than rely on the volunteers who didn’t sign up for this to remove them.

I’m sure the media are going to have a field day with this.

MN need to remove the ability to upload pictures now as they are now guilty of making and distributing CSA images I’d go so far as to say the owners could face criminal prosecution over this.

The ability does exist to prevent these kinds of images being posted, and MN have done precisely nothing to ever prevent it.

It was only a matter of time. They make enough money from their crappy advert placements, why haven’t this been anticipated. We know what kind of world we live in.

I don’t understand why posts that are reported aren’t immediately removed pending MN looking at them.

presumably because they argue it could be someone genuinely needing help etc etc when you consider how many posters are thought to be trolls.

They may have to rethink that.

Your title is unfair and misleading.

This should not have happened, volunteers and posters were wrongly exposed and should be supported now . However that does not mean MN is a platform for images of CSA. One invasion doesn’t negate the site’s history and identity.

They have put in no safeguarding so it isn't unfair to say they did this to themselves

It’s pretty clear that MN needs to up its game by behaving like the professional organisation that it’s supposed to be these days and actually paying professional mods to watch the site at night.

As in, someone posted them on a thread asking for help or someone posted them as some weird disgusting attack? 😟

The second one. On multiple threads with the caption 'enjoy your kids'

Oh my god. Oh my god. I can’t even imagine seeing those. I’m so sorry to those who did. That’s fu**ing horrific.
Are the Police involved (as in, can that track their IP Address etc.)?

Jesus christ.

Sick bastards

It’s not the first time something like this has happened. Years ago mumsnet was hacked and all the names and passwords were shared.

That's horrific. Definitely need a paid and trained person who knows what to do in these circumstances. Not rely on volunteers.

Mumsnet made over 2 million pounds of profit last year. They have plenty of resources to hire paid people.

After the horrific events overnight, I hope the night watch volunteers are ok and Mumsnet are providing support to you. What you had to see and deal with goes beyond what your role as a volunteer should deal with (which in itself is relentless at the best of times!).

I just wanted to say thank you for all you do. I hope you have support to work through the distress caused. 🌹

Why is anyone a volunteer?

If moderating is an essential business requirement, which it seems to be, then NMW applies.

Why is a company that, according to a PP, made £2m profit last year using unpaid labour?

I feel terrible for the volunteer(s) who had to deal with this overnight.

I hope MNHQ cooperates with the police in tracking down the perpetrators.

I believe that anyone who saw them needs to report that to the police, too, to properly comply with the law.

This has happened before on Mumsnet.

As I understand it, when a post is reported at night, that report doesn't actually notify the nightwatch volunteer. You have to either tag nightwatch or post on the nightwatch board. If I'm correct it's another example of how unfit for purpose the nighttime arrangements are.

That’s sick. I hope they’re able to be tracked down and arrested. Sick fucks.

Because mn would be empty within an hour?

Yes, I agree. The incels and assorted other misogynists would have a field day.

Shit, that's appalling.

I think the upload pictures feature needs to be disabled or at least made subject to moderator approval.

Surely these days there must be AI technology which is capable of identifying whether an uploaded image or a link contains pictures of CSA or other illegal or explicit material.

Text based posts don’t need to be removed immediately. But if a post has an image attached that is reported it could easily be an immediate removal.

Any user posting multiple images across threads could also have acc locked.

A site this big could also look into in-house Ai.

Sympathy to anyone affected. A reminder that this also happens on sites that our children frequent.

Yes, picture posts should have to be approved

The trouble is that the person who initially reports it (or more likely several people) would still have to see images of CSA. I'm sure I would find that traumatising, but what if the person who sees it first was sexually abused as a child themselves? Seeing something like that could cause someone real harm. They need to find a way to stop these images being uploaded in the first place.

I also think that MN could include an automatic warning below any links someone posts, advising users not to click on the link unless it looks legit, e.g. a link to a beauty product on the Look Fantastic website, or something from Amazon, or health advice from the NHS.

A site such as this should not be relying on volunteers overnight
it should be a paid position like daytime mods