Blogger's bump photos were stolen and published on a fetish site (2024)

In 2014, mummy blogger, Meg Ireland, shared private bump photos in a mother's group on social media.

But the 25-year-old experienced the darker side of social media when her pregnancy photos were taken and shared on a 'preggophilia' website - a p*rn website for 'people who like pregnant women.'

Now, the the Sydney-based 'Shut Up Meg' blogger has posted about her experience in a bid to raise awareness about the websites and encourage people to think carefully about what they share online.

'That time my bump went viral in a not so good way.This bump pic along with around 15 other pictures of mine ended up on an online "preggophilia" site,' Ms Ireland wrote on her Facebook page on Monday.

'I see so many people upload their bump pics and now I just gasp and hope to god they don't get into the hands of someone they shouldn't.

'We shouldn't have to worry about people stealing our photos, but unfortunately it happens ALL THE TIME!'

Ms Ireland said she was 'scrolling through the god awful site' trying to find the thread and detailed the horrific things she came across.

'People who were uploading pictures of their wife to other users, brother in laws uploading pictures of their sister in laws and women uploading pictures of their work colleagues!!! I literally couldn't believe what I was seeing,' the shocked blogger wrote.

'Who was I to blame for this? People would say I should only blame myself for uploading "personal pictures" and that it was my own fault (even though my profile was then private).

'I see it differently. I didn't care that someone had screen shot my photo to show someone, it's was what they did with my photo/s that made me physically sick to my stomach.'

Ms Ireland then questioned why people should have to 'sit and worry' about things like this happening when uploading photos on social media.

'Please be cautious about who follows/adds you. Block them if they look like a creepy MF,' she concluded.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Ireland said she first saw the pictures six to eight months ago after they were stolen from a regular online mother's group.

'One person in the group was a fake and was using my picture to encourage other ladies to post pictures of their bellies so they could steal them and post them on these bizarre sites,' Ms Ireland said.

'I emailed the website after having to go through all the horrible content to try and find it... they took it down after I threatened legal action.

'I just want to spread awareness and make sure others realise there are these people out there targeting innocent pregnant women online.'

A number of people have shared their own opinions on Ms Ireland's experience - some advising mothers to never share photos and others agreeing with the blogger.

'Gorgeous photo, sad that sick people do that with other people's photos!!' One woman wrote.

'This is a thing? What the hell people. Preggophilia?' Questioned another.

Others said Ms Ireland's experience was simply an unfortunate side effect of sharing photos.

'Well you girls will put up pics like this for ALL 1000 of your friends or non friends to see.What do u expect ? Keep personal photos personal .. period [sic],' a woman wrote.

'When will people understand that if you post a photo on social media you lose control of it. How on earth can you then be upset about where it ends up?! Honestly!' Another agreed.

Ms Ireland is aware that these things happen but she simply hopes to help others who may not be aware of these websites.

'I'm not 80 and I am aware that people will be like "that's what she gets for sharing photos" and I understand that... but this can happen to anyone,' Ms Ireland said.

'People's husbands and brothers were sharing these photos... people can be walking down the street and it could happen.'