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.

I guess you're the sort who wouldn't mind spending 25 minutes of your life having to witness such vile posts.

It's completely unnecessary to put someone through that, paid or volunteer, when the tools can so easily be available to get it all done and dusted in a minute.

Yes I’m referring to posts about “health” issues. I thought it wasn’t allowed now?

The headlines are enough to knock me sick so there’s no way I’m going to open any of those threads.

So how do you know they were photos being posted if you didn't open any of them?

It says it on the title d’oh

Here’s one that’s currently in active

Looks like your standard health photo that gets posted on here, like the zillion of nappy content threads over the years. Or you want all photos denied?

At least you get the option to open them or not now.

There’s no need for them. Who on here can make a diagnosis from a photo of shite??

Dunno, doesn't really bother me. If that's what you meant just say so in the first place. Not sure it needed to be mixed up in this thread, it wasn't clear what you meant.

Well I hope you can understand me now

I don’t know what’s with the thread police on this thread

And I was originally referring to this post in case it’s still not clear In light of what has happened, we've decided to no longer allow any of the 'medical opinion', etc, images

There was a 'please check my episiotomy scar post with graphic photo warning' a few days ago and I checked a few times to see if it was caught by the AI filter - you'll be pleased to hear that the photo never appeared

So it seems that it works on a data-set of one fanny photo

Screening out sanitary towel, nappy and toilet contents doesn't happen - would be nice but don't think that was ever the intention

I saw that one @Efacsenand I was about to open it to offer advice or at least solidarity until I realised it said photo was included

There were no images posted last night that I saw. The offensive content was text. I went and looked for this thread to revive it because it contains the bulk of discussion about how overnight moderation should be done in future. For me, THAT'S the issue here, and I would like MNHQ to address it squarely.

As I said in my earlier post, this is not finding fault with the Night Watch, about anything they've done, the speed of it or otherwise. I am grateful to them for doing it - I believe still on an unpaid basis. The point is that they shouldn't have to. I know that, regrettably, women-focused sites attract bad faith actors, as Justine put it, or predators, weirdos and trolls, should you prefer. That for me is no excuse to shrug and say 'it's just what happens'. There should be paid professionals, and professional tools, to do this overnight for a site of this profile and with this revenue base.

I repeat: I am asking, once again, for Mumsnet to realise they can no longer put off bringing in professional overnight moderation. It is simply not fair on the Night Watch or on users to still have a situation where they are asked to help but can actually do very little. The discussion about images has distracted from this, but here we are again. Proper overnight moderation, please. Now.

When it is probably feasible to hide all posts from a troll immediately why not have that option? The only people who want disgusting posts to remain are those who want people reading them.

It's called different opinions, which is allowed.

There’s a difference between having an opinion and telling others that their opinion is wrong @Janiie

Posting that more photos have been posted on a thread about CSA and not giving context ,that you actually mean you find what's in this poo threads disgusting, just causes more alarm.

Report the threads if they bother you. The photo has to be clicked on to see it.

I’ll post whatever I want to post @gamerchickjust like you do

People are way too sensitive.

This is an adult site on the internet. I didn’t see the CSA images and those should never have happened (I thought there was technology which could stop those?), but pictures of vomit and poo on a parenting site? Surely most parents can cope with that, especially as many come with trigger warnings, anyway, Yet people still then open them and moan. What is that about?

Medical images are sometimes disgusting and yet many have led to useful and important advice.

And the odd disgusting troll post? Surely we can cope as adults and parents (I know there are some non parents)? You will never stop troll posts and getting rid of them within 30 minutes seems pretty good to me.

That's not the point @Newbutoldfather . Unpaid volunteers shouldn't have to do that. And the 'you'll never stop it completely' viewpoint doesn't mean that MN can't and shouldn't try to look after its volunteers and users better than this.

It's noticeable that trolls are aware they can do this more easily, and it stays up for longer, at night time UK and especially on weekends. That's why I think it's time for higher level overnight moderation.

They don't have to do anything, they choose to. I presume if they stopped doing it then something else would be arranged.

Exactly.