Do you find mumsnetters who do this to be creepy?

[Moutne]

So a couple of weeks ago I started a thread asking for people’s opinions. I got told it wasn’t very helpful to not know specifics so I showed a very generic picture and tried to hide identifying details. But lo and behold a couple of the posters reverse searched the image. Got the name of the village and had themselves a nice little discussion going into a lot of detail. I just found it incredibly invasive. There was no need to know the extreme specifics. The image gave a good indication. I was clearly trying to not be too specific.

I mean being curious and searching yourself is one thing but to then come back and comment for all to see seems intentionally provocative. Almost like a power play.

It’s not cool imo. I’ve seen it happen on a number of threads tbh. People have no boundaries sometimes.

I actually shared a floorplan so thought it was not too identifying. I assumed most people would not be so lacking in boundaries to search AND then share the details.

People have a tendency to be very bogged down in the detail. Demanding specifics about adjacent scenarios rather than broadly addressing the issue at hand

i think it’s because historically this place is so infested with trolls and rage bait that it’s like a sport, the focus is on catching people out and making prejudicial assumptions about the “type” a poster might be attempting to portray, rather than being able to take an objective stance and offer advice accordingly.

It’s creepy. Not sure what they get from
it other than a gossip session.

I would never post an image on here that could identify where I live, who I am etc.. But if I had done so, and then a couple of posters decided to investigate it and them post about what they had found, I’d ask mumsnet moderators to delete their posts and hopefully Mumsnet would give them a warning.

I agree with you, but equally I think it's a lesson learnt that if you put things into an online forum like this then you need to be prepared for some people to go too far with it and this is one example of it.

100%. I contemplated the idea that someone might reverse Google search but thought “nah, why would they?”. Luckily nothing too private was revealed but it just seemed so odd and unnecessary

You may want to look into this from a legal standpoint, as you may have grounds to sue them for invasion of privacy. It all depends in what way that information was used.

I guess it’s what my generation knew as Doxxing?

Theres a weird trend for this stuff, everyone considers themselves a detective. Just look at the obsessions with true crime, etc…

I get it to an extent - I think we are falling into a world where online seems more real than real life and I was an early AIM user and an awkward teen who felt online life was easier than real life. But I grew up, and I’m not sure a lot of people who do this have.

It wasn’t that serious just extremely creepy. But most of all totally unnecessary. It felt like they did it just for the sake of getting off on the power trip. Weirdos. Not like it added to the discussion or anything.

That said, your post reminded me of this pandemic tweet which always makes me smile

Not creepy exactly but what you described I would say was poor form by said posters.

To be honest, this is the kind of thing I do. Not to be mean, but because I like seeing if I can find things out based on not much info - like a detective! However, I would NEVER post on the thread to say I had done it or reveal any further information such as an exact location.
Don't put personal stuff on the internet if it bothers you that much.

I`d never post anything online.

I did raise my eyebrows a bit, but if you didn't say it's private then I can see why people investigate.

Look at The Salt Path threads, the speed with which MNers had found out details about that couple was phenomenal, including property records and details of unpaid property taxes in France, as well as their adult dc's names and careers (although they very responsibly did not post those of course).

That really made me laugh!!

I always hate when a poster says something and a reply comes ‘but you said on threads from years ago that you …’ It just seems ott to go do your research on a poster!!

Yep, weird. Don't ever engage with people here who do things like that and post about other threads you've started or posted on. Those people are just looking to manipulate emotions and draw people into revealing things they don't want. It's bullying. It's better to ignore and report them if they become insistent.

Weird and creepy. I also find it weird and creepy when people actually remember what you say on other threads!! Who has the headspace for that!? Freaky weirdos that’s who.

I agree this is very creepy.

You half expect to look out over your dark garden and see them pop up behind a hedge.

Yup also experienced having a past comment of mine shared in an attempt to discredit. They said something like “how’s x going to work with a dog…”

My dog was put to sleep a few months prior. Awful!

Yes creepy and do much time

Who knew there were creepy people on online forums?
Seriously, I think some women think Mumsnet is a safe place, but how can it be?

I do think there’s a bunch of weirdos on this forum, people who are clearly mentally unwell trying to rile others up and basically use this forum as a playground. I would just say to ignore & never engage.

On local Facebook groups people get horrible comments for being anonymous (mainly because they’re just trolls) however you can’t underestimate how people actually are, it’s not worth being identified. People are so unpredictable and you need to keep safe but also have an opinion.

People like to prove they are the best detective and post their findings so that other posters can rave about how clever they are.

It's the same when posters go and deep dive the OP's previous threads, and try to catch them out for being a troll. Then there is a big announcement they they 'should be under a bridge' and all the other posters can give them a round of applause for being so smart.

It's all for likes and look how smart I am.

So tiring.