The Mumsnet parent site affected by a data breach

Mumsnet's parent site is reported to the UK data protection watchdog after an upgrade allowing some people to view details of other accounts.

In a message posted on the site, it was indicated that the problem had occurred between February 5 and 7.

Accounts are mixed if two users connect at exactly the same time, said Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet.

A total of 46 users were violated, according to the site, but no pbadword was revealed.

"You have the right to expect your Mumsnet account to be secure and private," Roberts wrote. "We are working urgently to find out exactly how this violation has occurred and to learn and improve our processes."

Some of those affected rang the alarm at Mumsnet early on February 7 to allow them to view other accounts.

The people concerned could have seen information, including:

• email address
• account details
• publication history
• personal messages

Mumsnet said to have reversed the software update at the root of the problem. It also forced all users to disconnect so that those who are still hiding in another user's account are removed.

The ICO stated that it had received the report from Mumsnet and inquired about the incident.

Analysis of technology journalist Zoe Kleinman

Mumsnet tends to make headlines for light reasons.

This is often the result of some of the strangest questions raised by the members of the parent site on its discussion forums (the "penis beaker" comes under legend, research) and acronyms that thrill the head, such I'm unreasonable), DC (darling children) and LTB (let the … you can guess the rest).

However, for some women, it is also the first platform they are turning to for help and advice on a number of deeply personal issues: intimacy, abuse, domestic violence, miscarriage, adultery, loneliness, special needs of their children.

They fear being identifiable by other "network leaders" who might know them in real life, and even their partners stumbling. The trust they place in Mumsnet to protect their privacy – and perhaps their security, as a result – is considerable.

The idea of ​​writing these messages or these private messages while you accidentally connect to another person is really worrying and even though he is relieved that it does not seem to have affected many people, the disclosure will be worrying for some.