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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

Update from MNHQ addressing the recent images posted on the site

487 replies

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 12:13

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.

OP posts:
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MNHQ
BeckyAMumsnet · 04/02/2025 16:33

kittensinthekitchen · 04/02/2025 15:19

Of course they didn't.
Registrations = posts = page clicks = revenue.

The spirit of Mumsnet

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Hello - yes, we did suspend registrations.

PassingStranger · 04/02/2025 16:36

what was the point of putting the images on mumsnet?

BitchinTwinset · 04/02/2025 16:37

Onlyhereforthebatshitneighbours · 04/02/2025 15:48

I must say I'm concerned about the line in the op saying certain threads were deleted because of "bad faith actors"

This sounds dangerously like it comes from the Elon Musk school of free speech - 'say what you like unless I don't like it'.

Perhaps I have misunderstood the original post but mumsnet needs to clarify why other threads addressing this were deleted and who they meant by "bad faith actors".

And it's appalling the Nite Watch are unpaid. Doesn't matter if they're experienced users who have "kindly" offered or not, Mumsnet is taking advantage of their good nature (and potentially exploring a person's need to feel useful) in order to reduce costs & not pay them, which is disgraceful.

It's a standard term meaning people who deliberately derail discussion or pretend to get the wrong end of the stick.

It's always been against the spirit of the site (and most other mainstream forums).

wrongthinker · 04/02/2025 16:40

Goodweekincoming · 04/02/2025 16:30

I saw those images, reported immediately and made a comment on the thread for others to do the same straight away and in fairness they were whipped down quickly after reporting but they must have been up a little while for so many to have seen them. I agree with @TheDowagerCountessofPembroke having to look at them to actually be able to report it was hard. I don't even know what Nightwatch is to be honest. I have never come across anything even remotely like that in my life before and frankly I was horrified that it could happen.

What I will say is seeing them really affected me. It was such a shock and it was all I could do not to vomit. I am still thinking about it and I can't get the images out of my head. I won't ever forget them and I really wish I had not gone to comment on a thread about soup that night. You can't unsee that. I have been upset ever since and that might sound dramatic but honestly it was horrific and my brain won't go back to normal. Sorry to all you you who saw them aswell. I can only assume you feel similar to me x

It's been mentioned a few times, but playing tetris can actually help with this. I know it sounds weird but research backs it up. Hope it helps and I'm so sorry you had to see these images.

crowgift · 04/02/2025 16:40

The BBC article is curious.
I would caution @JustineMumsnet against taking the PR angle that those speaking up about the seriousness of what they were exposed to are 'bad actors'. Your lack of serious response made things so much worse.
Are you going to put up a list of resources for those of us who were exposed to the images?
It's a pity that the BBC don't mention the lack of filters which left users and the volunteer moderators exposed to this.

wrongthinker · 04/02/2025 16:41

Is there a support thread for those who saw the images? If so, would be good to link it here. If not, maybe someone could start one? Would be good to share resources such as the tetris playing and other things that may help people.

spritsailking · 04/02/2025 16:43

I think there needs to be some counselling for those that were affected by the child sexual abuse stuff.

Some very concerning posts here and I'm so sorry to hear that it has affected people so much

DreamW3aver · 04/02/2025 16:43

Yabadabadooooo · 04/02/2025 15:06

Did you not suspend new registrations?

That won't do anything to stop the sleepers who probably already have lots of accounts ready to go and move to when one gets suspended

myrtleWilson · 04/02/2025 16:44

@crowgift Justine said that they weren't shutting down legitimate criticism and at the same time they had cause to believe that bad faith actors were working to another agenda. You seem to persist in not getting two things can both be true

Yabadabadooooo · 04/02/2025 16:45

BeckyAMumsnet · 04/02/2025 16:33

Hello - yes, we did suspend registrations.

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Not wanting to when please? Because the amount of spam today from what must be new regs does not suggest that.

wrongthinker · 04/02/2025 16:46

As far as going to the press - I think this was mostly about people wanting to be heard and MN to respond taking the issue seriously.

I don't think "be quiet, don't tell, it's our secret" is remotely appropriate here. It's certainly in the public interest that this is known about. I'd imagine seeing it on the BBC is the first many MN users have heard of this - don't we have a right to know?

Goodweekincoming · 04/02/2025 16:47

wrongthinker · 04/02/2025 16:40

It's been mentioned a few times, but playing tetris can actually help with this. I know it sounds weird but research backs it up. Hope it helps and I'm so sorry you had to see these images.

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Thank you so much for your kind response, I will download tetris. Honestly I am a tough cookie normally but this took me out.

maudelovesharold · 04/02/2025 16:52

As said upthread the Report button works 24-7

I think what this means is that you can indeed generate a report at any time of the day or night. So the Report button technically works 24/7. However, what isn’t being made clear, is that if you use it at night, no-one will see said report until the paid mods clock on in the morning. That’s rather disingenuous of Justine, imo.

FloofyKat · 04/02/2025 16:55

maudelovesharold · 04/02/2025 16:52

As said upthread the Report button works 24-7

I think what this means is that you can indeed generate a report at any time of the day or night. So the Report button technically works 24/7. However, what isn’t being made clear, is that if you use it at night, no-one will see said report until the paid mods clock on in the morning. That’s rather disingenuous of Justine, imo.

Absolutely my point. It’s disingenuous to say that you can you use the report feature 24/7 as this implies it’s monitored- and acted upon - 24/7.

FloofyKat · 04/02/2025 16:59

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 15:00

As said upthread the Report button works 24-7

"it’s always worth reporting posts, no matter the time of day. We have various automated moderation controls in place that operate outside of business hours, and we are actively working to strengthen these further. While we won’t go into detail for security reasons, we want to reassure you that reports do play a role in flagging issues at any time."

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It’s disingenuous to say that you can you use the report feature 24/7 as this implies it’s monitored- and acted upon - 24/7. When it clearly is not the reality. Just admit the set-up is not fit for purpose and make the changes needed. Which I’m sure you are / will be.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 04/02/2025 17:01

claudiaswinklemen · 04/02/2025 13:31

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.

I thought this too, just from reading and with no behind the scenes information. I don’t like the tone of, “Will you confirm that you will be taking X action as of three weeks ago?” or “Do you agree until MNHQ have removed all despicable images from the internet, MN should be closed down indefinitely?”.

Yes, I saw several posts last night that seemed... gleeful, I suppose. And OTT. I assumed they were either part of the operation or using it. If it hadn't been so late I would've searched on the usernames.

I'm grateful not to have seen the images. I'd like to understand what Nightwatch is, as I hadn't come across it before.

ilovesooty · 04/02/2025 17:06

ifIwerenotanandroid · 04/02/2025 17:01

Yes, I saw several posts last night that seemed... gleeful, I suppose. And OTT. I assumed they were either part of the operation or using it. If it hadn't been so late I would've searched on the usernames.

I'm grateful not to have seen the images. I'd like to understand what Nightwatch is, as I hadn't come across it before.

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The posting threatening the press, encouraging people to sue and demanding MN pay for personal therapy for those who'd seen the images was yesterday afternoon. It seemed to me to have the motive of trying to bring the whole site down.

MariaThomasFangs · 04/02/2025 17:10

ifIwerenotanandroid · 04/02/2025 17:01

Yes, I saw several posts last night that seemed... gleeful, I suppose. And OTT. I assumed they were either part of the operation or using it. If it hadn't been so late I would've searched on the usernames.

I'm grateful not to have seen the images. I'd like to understand what Nightwatch is, as I hadn't come across it before.

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I think the vast majority of posters were just upset, frustrated and maybe even furious, that no one at MN seemed to be taking it as seriously as it should have been. Some of the posts from MNHQ were downright dismissive.

Some of the posts, like the ones trying to get people to contact the media, I agree, seemed to be agenda fuelled, but many were deleted that seemed perfectly reasonable to me. It is a big deal and people have every right to be furious about it.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 17:12

FloofyKat · 04/02/2025 16:55

Absolutely my point. It’s disingenuous to say that you can you use the report feature 24/7 as this implies it’s monitored- and acted upon - 24/7.

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No it's not disingenuous. To be clear there are automated controls in place - if a post is reported a certain number of times or more within a certain timeframe then the post is automatically hidden. But as said we are looking at all our moderation processes and controls. We never want what happened on Sunday night to happen again.

OP posts:
Lookuptrees · 04/02/2025 17:16

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 17:12

No it's not disingenuous. To be clear there are automated controls in place - if a post is reported a certain number of times or more within a certain timeframe then the post is automatically hidden. But as said we are looking at all our moderation processes and controls. We never want what happened on Sunday night to happen again.

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So if a CSA image is posted there is a minimum number of users who need to view it and report it?

Can you not see this is inadequate?

These responses are getting worse imo and so dismissive and defensive.

Yabadabadooooo · 04/02/2025 17:19

Lookuptrees · 04/02/2025 17:16

So if a CSA image is posted there is a minimum number of users who need to view it and report it?

Can you not see this is inadequate?

These responses are getting worse imo and so dismissive and defensive.

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It's everything. I've seen threads and post stand for a VERY long time at night (no attacjk on nightwatch here) when they shouldn't have been, so obviously that system is not working because this was on actually active threads at that time of night.

I don't think the "moderation system" is workimg or ever did really and now it's showed in worst time

EasternStandard · 04/02/2025 17:19

I'm reading mnhq response as not allowing any images to go up prior to reports

I hope that's the case as no one should be dealing with CSA on here, especially not volunteers, but even if they are paid staff

I think volunteers won't be paid reading the posts which is unfortunate but I guess it's mnhq decision

IncaDove · 04/02/2025 17:19

Lookuptrees · 04/02/2025 17:16

So if a CSA image is posted there is a minimum number of users who need to view it and report it?

Can you not see this is inadequate?

These responses are getting worse imo and so dismissive and defensive.

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@Lookuptrees As I said up thread, I have been very critical of MN. However, I am starting to think you have an agenda. You don't appear to be posting in good faith.
What action can MN take that will satisfy you? Are you hoping the site will be shutdown?

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 17:20

Lookuptrees · 04/02/2025 17:16

So if a CSA image is posted there is a minimum number of users who need to view it and report it?

Can you not see this is inadequate?

These responses are getting worse imo and so dismissive and defensive.

Show quote history

I do see and that's why we're bringing in the filters I've talked about - we need to stop these images be uploaded in the first place. I don't think we're being dismissive and defensive tbh just correcting misconceptions.

OP posts:
crowgift · 04/02/2025 17:22

@JustineMumsnet why were there no appropriate filters in place?