In recent years, the proliferation of social media and instant messaging apps has facilitated the easy sharing of images and videos, contributing to the rapid spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. Tech giants, including Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, have long faced criticism for their failure to curb the problem. Now, with the number of reported incidents on the rise, calls for action are growing louder.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported a record 21.7 million incidents of CSAM in 2020, up 28% from the previous year. Despite this alarming increase, tech companies have been slow to respond, with some continuing to host illegal content on their platforms.
The scale of the problem is vast, with millions of images and videos circulating online. While companies have algorithms in place to detect CSAM, they are not foolproof and can be circumvented by sophisticated criminals. In addition, companies often rely on users to report offending content, putting the burden of policing the internet on the public.
Some experts believe that the failure to tackle the issue is due in part to a lack of resources dedicated to the problem. In a statement to the media, John Shehan, vice president of NCMEC’s exploited children division, said that “funding and resources for combating child sexual exploitation simply have not kept pace with the growth of the internet and its use by offenders.”
Critics of the tech industry argue that the companies have not done enough to combat the problem, despite their vast resources. The spread of CSAM is not only a moral issue but a legal one, with companies potentially liable for hosting illegal content on their platforms. The failure to take adequate action could result in costly lawsuits and damage to reputations.
In response to growing pressure, companies have pledged to do more to combat CSAM. Facebook, for example, recently announced plans to introduce end-to-end encryption on its messaging services, a move that has been criticized by some as it could make it harder for authorities to track and prevent the spread of illegal content.
Governments have also been taking action to combat the problem, with some introducing new legislation aimed at holding companies accountable for their role in hosting CSAM. In the United Kingdom, for example, the Online Safety Bill is set to impose strict rules on tech companies, with fines of up to 10% of global turnover for non-compliance.
The tech industry is under increasing pressure to do more to combat the spread of CSAM. While progress has been made, the scale of the problem remains vast, and the fight to protect vulnerable children from abuse continues. It remains to be seen whether tech companies will rise to the challenge and take the necessary steps to tackle the issue, or whether governments will need to intervene to enforce change.
