Hi all, thanks for all your posts.
What’s been happening overnight is horrible, and we completely understand why people are angry about it. We are too.
Unfortunately, this kind of trolling really is whack-a-mole. We suspend accounts, delete posts and block what we can, and the person behind it comes back under another account or changes tactics to try to get around the systems in place.
This isn’t unique to Mumsnet. Every large platform with user-generated content deals with the same problem, using a mix of automated detection, image and link screening, moderation and user reports. None of them has a magic filter that catches everything.
We do have protections in place here. Images are screened, links are screened and there are other automated measures running behind the scenes. We’re not going to publish the detail of all of those, as it would be fairly self-defeating.
The screenshot issue is a good example: uploaded images go through image screening, so a screenshot of offensive content may be blocked even if the original text appeared on the site. Your reports are also genuinely useful. They’re not a substitute for moderation - they’re another signal, particularly when someone is repeatedly changing accounts or tactics.
We also understand the suggestion that new users shouldn’t be able to post straight away, but there’s a real downside to that. People often arrive on Mumsnet because they need help now - with domestic abuse, pregnancy worries, a sick child or a crisis at home.
None of this means we think it’s good enough when this happens. We don’t. We made changes after the previous incident involving illegal images, and we continue to strengthen the protections we use.
Thank you to everyone who reported things last night, and especially to Nightwatch, who had a fairly grim few hours dealing with someone very determined to keep coming back.
MNHQ