Hmm... OK. Just had to log into OFTC via browser to verify my already registered and SSL cert backed IRC nickname. Right, we are now a little more verified. 🤨
Just checked proposed updates queues for @debian stable and oldstable. base-files package is present for upcoming 8.10 and 9.3, so we should not have the same issue that happened with 9.2. 😉
Seems we have increased probing at @TalkTalk WAN IP addresses. A marked increase in last few days and enough to initially see it as lag on IRC; and a quick look at router logs confirmed it. Users make sure your firewalls are up to date. 🙄