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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

My data has been breached

261 replies

Simbaya · 07/06/2022 16:05

Respond please.

OP posts:
ClaudineClare · 07/06/2022 20:44

That is awful OP. I was a victim of the data breach a few years ago when some users could temporarily see other user's accounts. I felt really exposed.

Has MNHQ fixed the issue?

MuchoMistrust · 07/06/2022 20:45

Lonelycrab · 07/06/2022 19:57

/ flame suit on.

I think you’re over blowing this.

A data breach is when someone has your data. Your email address is not your data, it’s just your email address. I think to suggest another poster might use that in some way is a bit far fetched.

Many thousands know my email through work, any one of them could have their computer hacked. I do get some spam like we all do, but in itself another email address added to the bazillions of email addresses available to hackers matters not.

just my 2p

It's about anonymity though isn't it? If my email address was [email protected] that's one thing but if my real name is in my email address then that's a whole different ball game

Userforever · 07/06/2022 20:47

Best to have a unique email for MN or use Apples hide my email, I thought that most people did after the last breach, as even if it's not malicious it's a pain to have to change emails on your bank and everything.

HollowTalk · 07/06/2022 20:52

Happygirl79 · 07/06/2022 17:54

OMG how can this be allowed to happen?. Perhaps its time to leave this site?

Oh don't be so dramatic. Just change to an anonymous email address.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 07/06/2022 20:58

ClaudineClare · 07/06/2022 20:44

That is awful OP. I was a victim of the data breach a few years ago when some users could temporarily see other user's accounts. I felt really exposed.

Has MNHQ fixed the issue?

Yes the issue was fixed last night.

Lonelycrab · 07/06/2022 20:58

It's about anonymity though isn't it? If my email address was [email protected] that's one thing but if my real name is in my email address then that's a whole different ball game

If there have been nefarious encounters because of a previous breach then I’m sorry.

DolphinaPD · 07/06/2022 21:00

How did this happen? I'm on the android app so the link to the other thread above isn't a link, and searching doesn't bring it up.

That's not putting MN in a great light, really is it, sorry!

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 07/06/2022 21:02

Simbaya · 07/06/2022 19:42

How about we let MNHQ validate this thread?

I don't know who reported me or why they reported me. I do know that THREE people HAVE my email address.

And I'm not fucking happy.

Hi Simbaya - I'm really sorry this happened. There were 3 posts reported - the reasons tagged were possible troll and hate speech (twice). All posts were deleted by our mod team.
The posts were: "if the cap fits", "They did it deliberately because they're too fucking THICK to know that Ireland doesn't 'belong' to them." and "Perhaps they'd learn their fuckin place."
As said we'd be more than happy to delete all your posts, change the email on your account, apply a retrospective namechange or deregister you. Just let us know. Once again - apologies for causing you distress.

VodselForDinner · 07/06/2022 21:03

Readtheroom · 07/06/2022 19:47

Why do you care that someone has your email address and name, unless its very unique? There's a million Emma Watsons and no one can really do anything with this information

Maybe put your money where your mouth is and post your real name and email address under your usual username?

Not tempted?

@Simbaya , that’s just shocking and I’m amazed at how badly it’s being handled by MN.

rocketfromthecrypt · 07/06/2022 21:05

Really weird decision to post exactly what the OP said which prompted the reports in the first place.

RoseAndRose · 07/06/2022 21:07

User487216 · 07/06/2022 19:57

Can you look at your posts from when this happened and see if any have been deleted, might be difficult though if you posted on loads of threads.

Would that be enough?

What if a post was reported but not deleted?

We can't possibly know if that was the case.

TheHighStreetsAreDying · 07/06/2022 21:08

JustineMumsnet · 07/06/2022 20:58

Yes the issue was fixed last night.

Show quote history

That's it? That's all you're going to say @JustineMumsnet ? Because that makes it sound like it was no more serious than fixing a broken light bulb. You need to reply and explain - and most importantly reassure - relatively new MN members like me.

You can't just say it's fixed and that's that. Shocking. 😮

VodselForDinner · 07/06/2022 21:10

JustineMumsnet · 07/06/2022 21:02

Hi Simbaya - I'm really sorry this happened. There were 3 posts reported - the reasons tagged were possible troll and hate speech (twice). All posts were deleted by our mod team.
The posts were: "if the cap fits", "They did it deliberately because they're too fucking THICK to know that Ireland doesn't 'belong' to them." and "Perhaps they'd learn their fuckin place."
As said we'd be more than happy to delete all your posts, change the email on your account, apply a retrospective namechange or deregister you. Just let us know. Once again - apologies for causing you distress.

Show quote history

Wow, talk about kicking someone when they’re down.

FunnyTalks · 07/06/2022 21:10

rocketfromthecrypt · 07/06/2022 19:56

@thistimewontyousaveme wow. You think the OP should just suck it up?

If it happened to me, I'd be fucked. My email is my name, and my name is unusual. If you had my email you'd be able to find out exactly what my job is and where I work. You could do what you wanted with that information. It doesn't bare thinking about.

There are women using this site without typical, British names. Unbelievable isn't it?!

Pixiedust1234 · 07/06/2022 21:12

Why can't they tell you what your posts said and why were they reported? That's stupid. If it was because you were a bit snippy at someone and told them to f off in the food section then that is totally different to having a i dont believe twaw reported post in the feminist section.

I would keep bugging them to disclose the posts and reasons for reporting. That does not involve other usernames etc but could give you some semblance of peace of mind.

SpinstileTurnstile · 07/06/2022 21:14

Good grief

Pixiedust1234 · 07/06/2022 21:14

oh nvm, cross posted

BoreOfWhabylon · 07/06/2022 21:15

Thanks @JustineMumsnet

I'm not downplaying the significance of this breach at all, it certainly is very concerning and should never have happened.
BUT if I'd seen those posts, I'd have probably reported them too.

Staynow · 07/06/2022 21:17

JustineMumsnet · 07/06/2022 21:02

Hi Simbaya - I'm really sorry this happened. There were 3 posts reported - the reasons tagged were possible troll and hate speech (twice). All posts were deleted by our mod team.
The posts were: "if the cap fits", "They did it deliberately because they're too fucking THICK to know that Ireland doesn't 'belong' to them." and "Perhaps they'd learn their fuckin place."
As said we'd be more than happy to delete all your posts, change the email on your account, apply a retrospective namechange or deregister you. Just let us know. Once again - apologies for causing you distress.

Show quote history

Wow you might as well just say Simbaya deserved it for the things they wrote. What a bizarre thing to plaster it all over the thread. Why not just email Simbaya privately - you obviously have their email address as you already wrongly shared it with other people. Shocking behaviour when you've already breached GDPR and put Simbaya in a horrible position.

Are you notifying everyone whose email addresses have been given out to others?

MuchoMistrust · 07/06/2022 21:18

BoreOfWhabylon · 07/06/2022 21:15

Thanks @JustineMumsnet

I'm not downplaying the significance of this breach at all, it certainly is very concerning and should never have happened.
BUT if I'd seen those posts, I'd have probably reported them too.

The point isn't whether or not the posts should have been deleted or reported!

The point is the OP's email address and name has been shared with the people who reported the posts.

BIWI · 07/06/2022 21:19

Pixiedust1234 · 07/06/2022 21:12

Why can't they tell you what your posts said and why were they reported? That's stupid. If it was because you were a bit snippy at someone and told them to f off in the food section then that is totally different to having a i dont believe twaw reported post in the feminist section.

I would keep bugging them to disclose the posts and reasons for reporting. That does not involve other usernames etc but could give you some semblance of peace of mind.

RTFT. Justine did that 20 minutes before you posted.

WakeyCakeyHeart · 07/06/2022 21:21

@JustineMumsnet why did you make that public Instead of messaging Simbaya privately ? It's seems uneccessary and without context to the original thread. This comes across as quite goady and spiteful.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 07/06/2022 21:21

Once again - apologies for causing you distress.

…. No, not for causing distress… for breaching personal data. This is infuriatingly minimising OPs completely valid concerns.

And agree that a full explanation needs to be given to everyone that uses the site, including how many users data was breached and why it happened.

hockeysticks89 · 07/06/2022 21:22

Wow, the best defense is a good offense eh, @JustineMumsnet

Jovanka · 07/06/2022 21:24

BUT if I'd seen those posts, I'd have probably reported them too.

That’s beside the point though innit? Having posts reported doesn’t justify the user’s data then being shared with those who made the reports. I find it difficult to believe that MN needed advice from their DPO whilst they considered whether or not to refer the breach to the ICO. This is a clear data breach, and yes, an email address is personal data.