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TokyoBouncyBall · 11/05/2024 11:48
A summary would be good and I might do one later but Aston, data scraping, astonishing lack of contrition…
JustineMumsnet · 06/06/2024 16:59
Hello everyone,
Thanks again for your patience. We promised to update you here when we had more information… Besides agreeing to delete the sandbox, with regard to the smaller Mumsnet dataset for the PHD research, Aston has agreed not to identify Mumsnet by name in the final publication or use the Mumsnet logo. They are also adamant that this data set has been anonymised.
We’d suggest that if you still have any concerns about personal information that Aston may hold, to please contact their Data Protection Officer: www.aston.ac.uk/about/statutes-ordinances-regulations/publication-scheme/data-protection.
And of course if you have any concerns about particular posts on Mumsnet that may contain personally identifiable information, feel free to email us at [email protected], and we’d be happy to assist.
We’ll continue to keep you informed of any further developments. Thanks Justine
JustineMumsnet · 11/06/2024 17:57
Hi all, We share your concerns about the assurances Aston have thus far provided and are currently waiting on a further response with regard to the smaller dataset and how they are proposing to use it/ ensure that no individual can be identified from that use. We can't put every correspondence up here for obvious reasons but our lawyers are on the case and we are very much determined to uphold our legal rights over the data. When we can say more, we will.
JustineMumsnet · 10/07/2024 16:40
Hello all, I realise we're overdue an update on the situation with Aston. We instructed our solicitors to send a pre-action letter (which we’ve been advised not to share here for various quite sensible legal reasons) - in brief we’ve informed Aston of our plans to issue legal proceedings due to unacceptable breaches of our terms of use and infringement of database copyrights.
We’ve also asked that Aston immediately cease use of all the 2019 and 2024 Mumsnet Data, refrain from publishing any materials based on the datasets, and prevent any third parties from doing so either. If the response is unsatisfactory, then we will likely take further action.
As always, we’ll keep you posted on any developments and we’d very much appreciate your cooperation in refraining from too much speculation and keeping any posts well within our Talk guidelines.
Thanks!
BeckyAMumsnet · 10/07/2024 18:35
@DrBlackbird @popebishop we're not sure but we'll certainly look into this.
JustineMumsnet · 19/07/2024 09:50
Txs for the words of support 👊 - more info here www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/5122770-why-were-taking-legal-action-against-open-ai-and-other-scrapers
JustineMumsnet · 29/01/2025 15:17
This reply has been deleted
Following advice from our lawyers, we are withdrawing this post as the case is ongoing.
JustineMumsnet · 13/10/2025 17:59
DrBlackbird · 19/09/2025 10:54
I’m resurrecting this thread to ask @JustineMumsnet if any new information has arisen since the last post in Feb in relation to Eden’s unethical use of our data but also to confirm that / explain if the changes with the pay or consent model means that third parties can now access users data without breaking MN T&Cs?
VitoCorleoneOfMNMafia · 06/02/2025 08:51
Maybe the new "pay or consent" wall will interfere with scrapers?
(It won't. The point is that Mumsnet are no longer your allies when it comes to "consent" about your data being hoovered up by third parties. And I say that as a long-time Premium subscriber.)
Sorry for the delayed response - missed this and just found it buried in my inbox. There's no further news of substance. As things stand the matter remains unresolved. We’ve not received any further response from Aston University following our final settlement proposal and we've reserved our rights but we are not aware of any new or additional use of Mumsnet data by Eden Palmer or Aston University since that correspondence and we're continuing to monitor the situation.
To clarify your second point, the recent changes to our pay/consent model don’t alter or weaken Mumsnet’s data protections in any way. Third parties cannot access user data without explicit permission. Thanks.
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