When it comes to action by policymakers, the European Union must adopt the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation without further delay. We are calling on Member States to push for progress on the Regulation to provide a permanent legal basis for voluntary and mandatory detection of CSAM across the EU. Protections must apply consistently, including when it comes to end-to-end encrypted environments.
As the Online Safety Act is implemented, the UK regulator Ofcom must regularly assess their position on technical feasibility to ensure platforms do not use this as a get-out clause to evade compliance. The UK government should also look to introducing additional legislation to ensure private messaging platforms, including those that are end-to-end encrypted, take the necessary steps to detect and block CSAM.
Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the IWF, said: "Our new paper shows exactly how child sexual abuse imagery can be prevented from being uploaded into even the most heavily encrypted environments without breaking encryption or compromising user privacy. It’s time for policy makers to build these protections into everyday life. There is no time to lose.”