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.

How were these automated controls not triggered on Sunday night? Are the thresholds too high? I wasn't online but presumably there was a record level of reporting for those posts? Are those thresholds often met?

I did the same - my report went in at 11.11 though I reported twice and suspect that was the second time.

It was quite horrific - it took a second to compute in my brain what my eyes were seeing, I was so shocked! I have never seen anything like that and I sincerely hope I never do again.

I wasn't sure whether NightWatch was genuine!

I'm interested in the answer to this too!

Man you're on a pure mission you, aren't you? Go and have your tea or something.

Surprised Big Justine hasn't posted in legal advice, they're always giving great advice on there ;)

You're entitled to your opinion, as am I.

What does it mean that you don't think I'm posting in good faith? That's just your opinion. I'm a genuine member of MN and very shocked that this has happened, and bitterly disappointed at how this is being handled.

So what would satisfy you then if nothing that's been said is enough?

Big Jussy going on about "good-faith" and "trolls"- read the room please lol

@JustineMumsnet @EducatingArti

I wanted to add to this and your previous posts as I largely agree with @EducatingArti

I agree that primary issue is that the images could be posted.

Its good that there will now be someone senior on call and honestly surprising that this was not the case given NW's limited access and capabilities.

I agree that volunteer mods from the community are commonplace, including on large commercial sites. I've been that role on a number of very large commercial sites and written filters and rules for automated mod tools

What I've never done is modded on a site, especially a large and active site which has different reporting and moderation models depending on the time of day. From a purely user experience point of view its really poor and very confusing.

From posts here (and lets face it, most of MN won't even have noticed this whole event) it is clear that users do not understand the night mod process or that their reports will not be picked up until morning. Automated tools are great but can only do so much for text based posts. eg typically they struggle to pick up more carefully worded attacks and dog whistle spread over a number of posts in a thread. The perception then is of reporting something quite nasty and it being ignored until the next day as NW can't see the reports.

Either give NW access to the reporting system to do the job properly or at least issue comms on how it works plus a pop up message on the reporting system to say "also post your report here" with a link to the NW topic.
For user facing simplicity giving NW access to reporting makes much more sense.

Its not unusual to have multiple profiles of mod so that eg new mods or junior mods in this context would see just reports coming in during their shift (without user history access) and keep to hiding/suspending actions only. Their updates to the reporting system would typically be flagged for review by the day shift if needed.

Can you please post a simple explanation of how it works and what users should do at differen times of (UK) day and augment the FAQ pages?

It should be perfectly possible to do this and improve user experience without any security risks -its all about process, not about implementation details.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/800/cpsprodpb/43cb/live/6b7ecb90-e308-11ef-a470-4fd3f77f90af.jpg.webp

The editorial decision to use that stock photo in the BBC article, knowing the responses Big Justine has been giving is very apt and funny

They weren't triggered and yes, you're right, Sunday night shows clearly that the thresholds were too high for nighttime when there are so many fewer people using the site. So we are recalibrating them.

Ach, MNHQ have really messed up big time, but some of you seem to be enjoying humiliating Justine. Why?

Me too. I would guess that the number of reports was high for time of day but if thresholds are fixed then the number might still be much smaller than eg 12pm.

Mainly though the user experience and reporting method should be the same and equally effective 20*7. Variations in tools/modding behind the scenes should be invisible to the user

I imagine there must have been high numbers of posters reporting - it wasn't that late at night!

I know I reported twice but didn't want to have to see the images again. I had every faith that they would have been deleted smartish.

Well folks shouldn't really be rude and argumentative because it puts good posters off contributing. We're not a bear pit site

Ahh, come on your reply is like the mumsnet equivalent of this...

"Ach, Facebook HQ have really messed up big time, but some of you seem to be enjoying humiliating Zuckerberg. Why?"

This is the first time this sort of thing has happened isn't it?

From posts here (and lets face it, most of MN won't even have noticed this whole event) it is clear that users do not understand the night mod process or that their reports will not be picked up until morning

You said it yourself, @C8H10N4O2; most of MN may not have known about this at all if the "Site Stuff" thread hadn't come up in trending, because those created in the busier boards had all been cleared

So at least one benefit of the BBC picking it up is that more may be aware and able to inform themselves if they choose

Apples and oranges spring to mind.

Just curious as to why the mods asked for links to the threads rather than being alerted by the report function. Maybe it was quicker?
Edit to say : I see this has been addressed

She’s not your friend. People need to learn to understand that MN is a multi-million pound business.

It's all very pitch forky. A serious incidned occured mnhq addresed it and measures are now in place. I wonder if mnhq should wear hairshirts for a week?

I have been on Mumsnet for over 20 years and I didn’t even know the Night Watch existed until this week.

Exactly, she's not your mate from down the street.

Mumsnet has clearly failed in its corporate responsibilities.

We know we know. Justice isn't our friend and mnhq have failed. Or rather, a nasty perve posted vile images that were removed.

They have fixed the problem. Now if it happens again then regroup and recommence the constant 'NW should be paid!' Protests.