Update from MNHQ addressing the recent images posted on the site

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi all,
There have been a number of threads discussing what happened re the posting of CSA images on site and so I want to be absolutely clear: we would never seek to shut down reasonable criticism and we're taking on board all the feedback and will be carefully considering how we can improve our procedures and moderation to prevent this happening again.

As a temporary measure, we have suspended all image posting and will soon be implementing AI filters to flag illegal/disturbing images before they appear on the site. We’re also liaising with external specialists to see if there are any further tools we can employ to help us prevent this from happening again in the future. We reported it to the police first thing the morning after the attack and we have a follow up meeting with them tomorrow.

It's also pretty clear from what we can see behind the scenes that there is an ongoing, coordinated effort from trolls to further inflame these discussions, and cause as much disruption as possible. We are taking steps to remove bad faith actors, but we know this can be frustrating for those who just want to express your views about what happened. If you come across any posts that seem designed to stir up more conflict rather than contribute constructively, please do report them - your reports really help us to act swiftly. Many thanks for your patience while we work to sort this out.

Good point, @TwigletsAndRadishes.

"Challenge it on the thread" is a favourite response.

Yes. The least helpful thing ever. No I will not challenge anti-science rhetoric. I already have if I get to report

When you follow advice and challenge on the thread, you get deleted.

Or piled on in a ‘not in the spirit’ way.
I reported obvious vaccine misinformation (not reasonable concern stuff) and was told to challenge- no social responsibility

I think Justine focussing on the “ bad faith an actors” issue is an attempt to chaff and redirect from the real issue. The fact is a company this size, dealing with an open site should have had a contingency plan for this type of emergency. It should have been treated as urgent and there should have been emergency protocols in place. Now it’s desperate scrambling trying to cover up the fact that this is a high risk situation that wasn’t adequately assessed and dealt with, making them vicariously liable for the trauma of others unfortunately.

What else is being done to sort this out?

And now the thread this discussion was all being directed to is full. What now?

I guess someone is free to start a part 2.

It was my thread but I'm not going to do that. I've said all I've got to say and it's just going round in circles now.

Hopefully nothing. Hopefully people will get a grip, recognise that the problem is being addressed, and stop going on about it.

There really isn't any more that needs saying. Every point has been made 100 times, every question asked 100 times (and now answered). Time to dial down the drama and let MNHQ get on with it.

Oh, MNHQ is getting on with it, all right. Nothing to see hear, folks, look over there!

Despicable timing.

Introducing Pay or Consent on Mumsnet | Mumsnet

I don't know if you saw any of the posts @saraclara but I did unfortunately, and I'd like an update personally. I saw some of the images in the body of a thread and I can't get them out of my head! I have never seen anything like it, never expected to, and never want to again! The accompanying comments were beyond sick, and they were repeated in the email I got in response to my report!

I would like to be assured that this will not happen again, and I would like to know what MN is doing to ensure that it won't!

I don't need to "get a grip" because I can't unsee those images!!

But they've told you what they're going to be doing.

I appreciate that it was shocking and difficult to see those images, but we've been told what they've done so far and what they're planning to do.

The same questions are being asked over and over, but they've basically been answered. Of course there'll be a lot more going on than we know, and further things that need investigating and expert advice taken, but really, hundreds of posts continuing to say or ask the same thing, pointlessly, when HQ has already said what they're plans are, is achieving nothing.

As a temporary measure, we have suspended all image posting and will soon be implementing AI filters to flag illegal/disturbing images before they appear on the site. We’re also liaising with external specialists to see if there are any further tools we can employ to help us prevent this from happening again in the future

Given that, and the post saying that there will now be a senior member of staff working overnight, what more can you expect at this stage? It will take ongoing action and improvements of course, but I don't think we can really expect any more than this in the short time since the incident.

Where did you see a senior member of staff will be working overnight? I have only read that they will be contactable overnight, not working. I mean, why would they work when the NW will do it/some of it, as permitted, for free?

I've never seen images like that in my life, and I would like to be reassured that I won't ever see them again!

The only change I can see is a pop up asking if you want to pay for premium membership or not!! That isn't exactly reassuring!!

Yes, where did you see that @saraclara ? I haven't seen it anywhere.

And I would have expected a statement that all users could see. Instead it was hours after the event on a board most posters would never access!

I am traumatised by what I saw!!!

Well another change you can see is that NO images can be uploaded at this time.

The other changes that are planned are not going to be visible to posters. They'll be in the software.

It wasn't even just the vile images, but the disgusting commentary that accompanied them, and which was repeated in the emails that MN sent to posters who had reported the posts! It was all so sick and so traumatising! I have experienced sexual abuse, though thankfully not CSA, but I can't imagine the impact on someone who did experience CSA! I don't think that can be emphasised more strongly!

With all due respect @saraclara and I normally agree with your posts, but this was predictable, and should never have happened!

I am traumatised by seeing the sexual abuse of little girls, and whatever action MN takes now, all of the posters who saw it have to live with the consequences!

Okay. A senior member of staff will be on call. It's a few hours since I read that post.
But that is what was needed when those images appeared, and now it's in place.

It should have been in place before those images were shared.

Probably, but what's the point on going on and on and on about it?

My initial post was in response to the first thread filling up and the 'where are we going to continue to post about this now?' wail.

My answer is that we don't need to continue to post about it. Everything's been said. What wasn't done before will now be done. Moaning over and over again is pointless.

Well, that is kind of what happens when a person is traumatised.

The first thread - which was where posters were directed by MNHQ to seek answers from MNHQ - has filled. So where are posters supposed to be getting these promised updates, especially as so many threads on the topic were either deleted, or closed, and posters directed to the thread that has now filled?

One might well ask why you are here on this thread, going on and on and on about how people should just breeze over this and move on.

Who is "going on and on and on about it"???

You clearly didn't see it. I can't get the images out of my head!

Maybe you would understand if you had been subjected to such vile images!!