Large-scale detection now allows platforms to identify and report illegal content to authorities, triggering investigations to locate victims and bring perpetrators to justice. It also helps to delete this content and prevent its distribution. In recent years, 99% of reports came from platforms using these detection technologies.
Without this system, the number of reports could drop sharply. In 2021, in a comparable situation, they decreased by 58%. “Police and judicial authorities will lose crucial leads, which will hamper investigations and leave children trapped in intolerable situations,” warn the signatories.
“Every day without detection means more victims”
Beyond the figures, the NGOs recall that “behind each image and each video hides a child victim of repeated violations of their fundamental rights, in particular their right to dignity and private life”. They emphasize that child protection constitutes a legal and moral obligation for the European Union.
The document calls on European institutions to “urgently” adopt a sustainable legal framework guaranteeing the continuation of these detection activities.
“We are dismayed to see that political considerations have taken precedence over the protection of children,” says Isaline Wittorski, spokesperson for Eclag and project manager at Ecpat International. “Every day without detection means more victims and more content spreading freely,” she scolds.
“We are observing a radicalization of child criminals, who demand increasingly violent practices”
