Google docs in troll posts

[ArabellaScott]

Hi MN.

Another thread recently deleted contained a Google docs link. The thread was started by a troll, who openly stated their intent to keep posting disruptive posts.

I know its hard to ban trolls, especially persistent ones, but would it be possible to ban Google doc links, same as crowdfunder links? I'm a bit concerned there may be ways to exploit the links, and its clear these posters have bad intentions and are targeting MN, particularly the Feminist board.

Thanks. Screenshot attached.

I had the exact same thought when I saw a googledocs link this morning.

It seems that the owner/creator of a Googledoc can view any other google account users who've viewed the doc.

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/view-edit-history-google-docs/

indeed. I am hugely reluctant to open any google doc links coming from social media. I was very surprised that MN allowed those links.

Yes, I’d like to support this idea as well. Google docs are well known as a way of obtaining people’s names.

Hello and thanks for posting - we're going to discuss this further at MNHQ
We'd always advise not clicking on any links if you're unsure.

@BeckyAMumsnet thanks. Yes, sensible advice to not click on links. It's just that this one seems like a particular potential vulnerability.

Thanks BeckyA.

I am never surprised about how little people understand internet security because so many people simply are not aware of their own security needs. And many people simply don’t notice the google docs part of the link even when the link is not hidden because they are focused on other things leaving them more open than they may be typically.

Just a bit of reassurance on this, it looks like you have to be signed in to Google Workspace to be identified as a viewer (no reason not to remain cautious though)

Doesn't that mean anyone who's signed into a google account, though?

I'm not totally sure but I think Google Workspace is a paid for service, so you might have an account via your employer. But if you're just using the 'free' Google services eg Gmail you wouldn't be logged as a viewer. Although this kind of thing is why I don't log in to Chrome...

It seems you are “anonymous animals” apparently

https://support.google.com/docs/answer/2494888?hl=en#:~:text=files%20you%20own.-,%22Anonymous%20animals%22,they're%20in%20the%20file.

No change there, then.

I’d also be grateful if you could look into this @BeckyAMumsnet

If it is possible at all for these links to reveal who is viewing them it would be an easy win to ban google doc links entirely. There are always bad actors here, especially on FWR.

Really important I think.

I'm cynical and cautious now, but I first discovered MN a few years ago during long lonely nights breastfeeding. I was so low on sleep I hardly knew who I was let alone what I was doing and would have been especially vulnerable to this kind of dox attempt.

@BeckyAMumsnet
I agree with the suggestion of banning these links. People often post links to verify information, and lots of people wouldn’t know that Google docs have ‘special’ features

We know only too well how some extremists like to ‘out’ people with GC views, and it could be professionally very difficult for some posters