Calls for tech platform crackdown to stop child sex abuse live streams

The sexual abuse of children live on camera for the “sick enjoyment” of Australian pedophiles has prompted calls for a major crackdown on tech platforms.

The live sexual abuse of children for the “sick enjoyment” of Australian pedophiles for as little as $15 has prompted calls for a crackdown on tech platforms to stop real-time sharing of the vile content.

The “failure” of major digital platforms like Meta — which owns Facebook and Instagram — as well as Snapchat, Twitter and Microsoft — owner of Skype — to adequately prevent live streamed abuse has been condemned by human rights advocates.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is currently developing industry codes intended to “reduce the risk of illegal and harmful online content”.

In a damning submission to the draft code, News Corp can reveal advocacy group International Justice Mission (IJM) Australia has demanded tech platforms be required to use technological tools to detect abuse material.

“Over time, occasioned by industry failures to detect, disrupt, or prevent this harm on online, (live-streamed) abuse has only grown and worsened,” the submission said.

Australian paedophiles are paying for

live streamed child abuse content via social media.

IJM has recommended even encrypted electronic services be required to detect abuse material “before it enters the encrypted space”.

Similar tools were developed in response to the live-streamed 2019 Christchurch terror attack and are now used by social media platforms to disrupt violent content in real time.

Philippine authorities bringing child victims to safety in rescue operations conducted with active support from International Justice Mission in late 2021. Picture: Supplied

“We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand and hide behind arguments that it’s ‘too difficult’ to monitor, or that ‘privacy issues’ prevent tech platforms from doing anything,” IJM Australia chief executive Steve Baird said.

“It is beyond belief that people are paying to view and direct the abuse of children around the world.”

The Philippines is a global hotspot for the production of abuse materials, with analysis finding Australia ranks third in the developed world for demand, behind only Sweden and the US.

Facebook, particularly its messenger service, is the most common platform used by offenders, accounting for more than 90 per cent of cases, while other traditional social media sites like Instagram, Snapchat, Skype and Twitter are also used.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland are both eager to see child exploitation stamped out.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said tech companies had a responsibility to help fight online child exploitation.

“It is not acceptable for these companies to turn a blind eye to the criminal activity that is taking place on mainstream social media platforms," he said.

“Everyone has a responsibility to our children, including multi-billion dollar tech companies, to stamp out paedophiles and child traffickers.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she welcomed the draft online safety industry codes and looked forward to receiving advice on the outcome of the independent process.

“The codes are an important step for industry to deal with the most harmful and illegal types of content, including child sexual abuse material,” she said.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner (AFP) Reece Kershaw said for as little as $15, a criminal sitting in their home in Australia could direct someone in the Philippines to abuse a child live on camera.

Commissioner of Australian Federal Police Reece Kershaw. Picture: Martin Ollman

Mr Kershaw revealed police were seeking to use Proceeds of Crime Act to launch civil proceedings against offenders who use their property as instruments of crime to commit serious offences.

“I am proud that the AFP is helping to make the world safer for children, especially in our region,” he said.

As of October 31 this year the AFP has made 195 arrests and issued 1,207 charges for child abuse related offences around Australia.

This week, Peter Scully — considered Australia’s worst pedophile — was given a 129-year prison sentence in connection with multiple human trafficking and child abuse cases in the Philippines.