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MNHQ

Update from MNHQ addressing the recent images posted on the site

10 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.

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MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 14:20

We understand the concern around moderation overnight, and we want to clarify a few things.

First, it’s always worth reporting posts, no matter the time of day. We have a number of automated moderation controls in place that operate overnight, and we are actively working to strengthen these further. While we won’t go into detail because we don't want to give troublemakers intel on how to avoid detection, we want to reassure you that reports are an effective way of flagging issues at any time of day or night.

NightWatchers are long-standing, experienced Mumsnet users who live in different timezones and who very kindly have offered to help keep an eye on things overnight. They do have some admin tools to manage situations (they can hide posts and threads and suspend users) and we are looking at ways in which we can augment these tools, including improving alerts when a thread is being widely reported.

It’s worth noting that many large platforms rely almost entirely on volunteer moderators.

The issue on Sunday night wasn’t night watch controls or moderation - it was that these images could be posted at all. Even if this had happened during the day, they still would have appeared on the site. That’s why our focus is on preventing this kind of content from being uploaded in the first place.

We know this has been a distressing situation, and I promise we’re working hard to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share feedback - we do take it on board, and we appreciate it.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 14:54

EducatingArti · 04/02/2025 14:46

@JustineMumsnet

But but but but but ...
I agree the start of the issue was that the images were posted at all and it is totally right that you are taking action to tighten controls on this and prevent it from happening. Thank you for taking these steps.

However once the images were posted (and continuing to be posted over a period of hours), the issue WAS that the Nightwatch were trying to deal with it without adequate tools or training ( eg asking posters to put a link to CSA abuse images in the Nightwatch thread - obviously illegal to do but totally understandable given the limited range of options open to them.

If this happened during the day the images would have been zapped far more quickly and fewer MNetters, including NW volunteers would have been exposed to them. Police could have been notified more quickly and executive decisions like suspending the ability to post pictures could also have been taken and implemented more quickly too.

You seem to be saying that the use of Nightwatch volunteers is irrelevant and this feels very disingenuous. Why aren't you considering paid staff with executive decision making skills and full training being on call through the night? ( Or if you are, why are you not telling us?)

After the awful incident where Russell Brand went rogue and made awful phonecalls on air on Radio 2 (the content was awful but arguably not as terrible as CSA) the BBC decided that a senior producer had to be on duty at all times just in case someone else did something as awful and so that they could immediately intervene/take programmes off air/apologise.

I know that MN is small in reach and size compared with the BBC but can you really not afford to provide some kind of fairly senior paid supervision overnight?

If you are telling is that your filters are enough to totally ensure that nothing really nasty/triggering of this or other ilk can never ever get through, then you really do need to address the Nightwatch issue also.

Yes I agree that someone Senior needs to be contactable at all times. That's something we're absolutely ensuring is the case going forward.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 15:00

FloofyKat · 04/02/2025 14:46

I’m shocked to learn that using the ‘report’ button only works during office hours. Unacceptable, I believe. MN has enough £££ and longevity of presence to be more aware of the risks and take appropriate steps to make sure this gaping chasm is addressed.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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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.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 17:38

BarbaraHoward · 04/02/2025 17:24

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?

Show quote history

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.

MNHQ

KellyMumsnet · 05/03/2025 11:34

Morning! For anyone asking about updates, we obviously have reported every instance and the police are continuing their investigations as we speak. We don't have further updates on that, we're afraid, but we'll let you know if and when we can.

MNHQ

BeckyAMumsnet · 29/03/2025 12:12

We completely understand how upsetting it is to encounter horrible trolls like the one last night, and we take these incidents very seriously. As with any large site, trolls are an unfortunate reality, but as a predominantly female site, we are often targeted by those intent on causing as much disruption and upset as they can. All 20 posts were removed in less than half an hour, thanks to Night Watch, and while no system can entirely stop determined trolls, we’ve invested significant effort into making it much harder for them to operate and are continually working on further improvements.

MNHQ

BeckyAMumsnet · 29/03/2025 12:16

JaneJeffer · 29/03/2025 11:02

I see disgusting photos are still being posted. I thought MN had put a stop to them.

Hi @JaneJeffer could you let us know what you're referring to? The troll last night did not post images.

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