Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
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IWF’s ‘record day’ fuels concern over the European Commission’s E-Privacy Directive

As child protection experts from across the globe gather this week for the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities Forum: Child Dignity Online in Abu Dhabi, the Cambridge-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) calls on the European Commission to reconsider proposed legislation on E-Privacy. This is important because if the proposal is enshrined in law, it will potentially have a direct impact on the tech companies’ ability to scan their networks for illegal online child sexual abuse images and videos.

Just last week, our IWF Hotline recorded our busiest day on record. In a single day (14th Nov), our team of specialist analysts, assessed and actioned 2,015 reports of online images or videos, containing child sexual abuse.

Under Article 5 of the proposed E-Privacy legislation, people would have more control over their personal data. As currently drafted, Article 5 proposes that tech companies would require the consent of the end user (for example, the person receiving an email or message), to scan their networks for known child sexual abuse content. Put simply, this would mean that unless an ‘offender’ agreed for their communications to be scanned, technology companies would no longer be able to do that.

Susie Hargreaves OBE, of the IWF says: “At a time when IWF are taking down more images and videos of child sexual abuse, we are deeply concerned by this move. Essentially, this proposed new law could put the privacy rights of offenders, ahead of the rights of children - children who have been unfortunate enough to be the victim of child sexual abuse and who have had the imagery of their suffering shared online. 

“We believe that tech companies’ ability to scan their networks, using PhotoDNA and other forms of technology, for known child sexual abuse content, is vital to the battle to rid the internet of this disturbing material.

“It is remarkable that the EU is pursuing this particular detail in new legislation, which would effectively enhance the rights of possible ‘offenders’, at a time when the UK Home Secretary is calling on tech companies to do more to protect children from these crimes. The only way to stop this ill-considered action, is for national governments to call for amendments to the legislation, before it's too late. This is what is in the best interests of the child victims of this abhorrent crime.”

Notes to editors:

Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities Forum: Child Dignity Online on November 19 and 20 in Abu Dhabi

Contact:

Jane Spence, Press Officer jane@iwf.org.uk +44 (0) 1223 203030 

What we do:

We make the internet a safer place. We help victims of child sexual abuse worldwide by identifying and removing online images and videos of their abuse. We search for child sexual abuse images and videos and offer a place for the public to report them anonymously. We then have them removed. We’re a not for profit organisation and are supported by the global internet industry and the European Commission.

For more information please visit www.iwf.org.uk.

The IWF is part of the UK Safer Internet Centre, working with Childnet International and the South West Grid for Learning to promote the safe and responsible use of technology.

The IWF works globally to stop child sexual abuse imagery on the internet. If you ever stumble across a sexual image or video of someone you think is under 18, please report to the IWF. Reporting can be done anonymously and confidentially – we don’t need your details, just your help.

Related articles:

IWF joins coalition of charities raising concerns over the European Commission’s E-Privacy Directive

 

Channel website: https://www.iwf.org.uk/

Original article link: https://www.iwf.org.uk/news/iwf%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98record-day%E2%80%99-fuels-concern-over-european-commission%E2%80%99s-e-privacy-directive

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For more information please visit www.iwf.org.uk.

The IWF is part of the UK Safer Internet Centre, working with Childnet International and the South West Grid for Learning to promote the safe and responsible use of technology
 

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