Since when were private messages subject to approval?!

[BIWI]

Just had an alert that a PM I’ve sent was pending approval.

I’ve long since known that PMs aren’t private, and that MNHQ could see/read them, but since when have we had to have them approved?

And what would lead to a PM being disallowed?

Perhaps they should be renamed ‘direct’ messages?

I presume it’s automated scanning, as I can’t see how the moderators have time to read/check all our PMs!

I don't PM any one.

I have received a handful of PM's over the tine I've been on MN:
a couple from.a poster who appeared rather unhinged or seriously didn't understand that the way to reply to posters who commented on her thread was to reply on the thread.
And a couple that were quite creepy and which I reported - once I'd figured out how to do this.
And I know from what posters have said on the Sex board, which I sometimes look at but don't post on, unsolicited and unwanted PMs are a problem for some posters on there.
I'm very glad if MN exert some control over PMs otherwise goodness knows what content would be exchanged.

All good reasons @IvedoneitagainhaventI - but this is a new introduction, and I’m querying what does/doesn’t constitute something that’s allowed in PMs.

I also have to say that I think it’s a bit sneaking of MNHQ to introduce this without alerting us to it!

I didn't realise this was a new thing OP.

I agree that introducing new things or changing things without giving MN users a heads up about them is very disconcerting.

Hi there @BIWI . Did your PM contain a link? It might be that that's been flagged for moderation by our systems for some reason. We'll go and see if we can find it but let us know if it might be that. We don't pre-moderate PMs though generally - although you can report them to us, of course, if they're problematic in any way.

Yes @HebeMumsnet I posted the MN contact us address - is that why?

That would be a strange one to be flagged as suspicious in any way, but maybe @BIWI . We'll look into it. Has your message gone through now?

People have been very upset about having shocking images thrust in their faces on here that they can’t unsee.

Sorry @HebeMumsnet - missed this yesterday. Yes, the message went through.