Legal Gap in Online Child Abuse Detection Puts Children’s Safety at Risk
A crucial legal framework enabling online platforms to voluntarily detect and report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) faces removal, creating a significant gap in safeguarding children. In 2023, Europol handled around 1.1 million CyberTips originating mostly from the US-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which assisted investigations in 24 European countries.
CyberTips include evidence such as photos and videos essential for law enforcement to identify and prosecute offenders. Without this legal basis, platforms may be unable or unwilling to scan content proactively, increasing risks to children across the internet.
The potential removal undermines ongoing multinational efforts to combat online exploitation. With millions of files circulated daily, this legal vacuum could delay detection, embolden perpetrators, and ultimately expose more children to harm across Europe and beyond. It also complicates cooperation between tech companies and authorities.
Effective prevention depends on clear legal mandates allowing platforms to act before abuse material spreads widely. Policymakers must weigh privacy concerns against the urgent need to protect vulnerable children from exploitation online.
