Initiatives seek to reduce the online sexual exploitation of children
Tue 26 Nov 2013
Work and new initiatives to help stop the online sexual exploitation of children have been highlighted this month. Google and Microsoft have ...
Work and new initiatives to help stop the online sexual exploitation of children have been highlighted this month.
Google and Microsoft have introduced new software that improves Google Search filters to block out commercial sexual exploitation of children. The software will automatically block "unambiguous" search terms which lead to illegal content and is due to be rolled out in 150 langauges. Additional search terms linked with child sex abuse will be accompained by a flashing heading reminding the user child abuse is illegal and point the user towards help.
In New Zealand, the Department of Internal Affairs reports it has blocked 34 million attempts by pop-ups, malicious software and a small group of heavy users trying to access sites blocked by the government since 2010. From January to July 2013, a million requests a month have been blocked. The head of online child exploitation unit Oceanz, Detective Senior Sergeant John Michael, says Police are uncovering online child exploitation two or three times a week and the abuse is becoming more disturbing, often featuring babies and young children being tortured.
The government's Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill, which increases the penalities for making, trading or possessing child exploitation material, passed the first reading in Parliament on 21 November 2013. It has been referred to the Justice and Electoral Committee. Justice Minister Judith Collins said, "These changes reflect the seriousness of these heinous crimes, and send a strong message that the exploitation and abuse of children will not be tolerated".
In addition, an international group, the Virtual Global Taskforce, has met at NZ Police national headquarters in Wellington to combat online child sexual abuse. The Taskforce connects countries with law enforcement agencies, IT representatives and child protection agencies from around the world.
Media:
Internet giants to block child porn images using a common list, CIO, 11.08.2015
Kiwis bombard banned child-porn websites, The Press, 24.11.2013
New bill to fight sexual abuse of children online, Beehive, 21.11.2013
Global taskforce fighting online child sexual abuse meet in NZ, TVNZ, 21.11.2013
Google, Microsoft block child abuse search results, NZ Herald, 19.11.2013
Google to block abuse web searches, TVNZ, 18.11.2013
Image: Computer keyboard, GFlores. Licence: Public Domain.
Image: GFlores