{"id":72661,"date":"2023-02-08T12:20:06","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T10:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nmd.bg\/?p=72661"},"modified":"2023-02-16T12:23:06","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T10:23:06","slug":"eurochild-calls-for-a-child-sexual-abuse-regulation-that-puts-children-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmd.bg\/en\/eurochild-calls-for-a-child-sexual-abuse-regulation-that-puts-children-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Eurochild Calls for a Child Sexual Abuse Regulation that Puts Children First"},"content":{"rendered":"

Children should be able to enjoy online the same rights they already hold offline.<\/strong>\u00a0Unfortunately, this is not a reality in Europe, despite a shift in lifestyle that sees children live their lives online and offline indistinguishably.<\/p>\n

Child sexual abuse<\/strong>\u00a0affects\u00a0at least one in five children in Europe<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0one in every seven victims is under 6 years<\/a>. Under the current interim regulation valid until end of summer 2024, tech companies have been able to\u00a0voluntarily<\/em>\u00a0detect child abuse material with little supervision or guidance and always having the possibility to opt out.<\/p>\n

The European Commission plans to continue their work in the fight against child sexual abuse and exploitation with the\u00a0proposed EU Legislation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse<\/a>. Eurochild welcomes the clear and standardised procedure this proposal brings to detect, remove, and report child sexual exploitation and abuse.<\/p>\n

For the first time, mandatory rules will be in place to oblige companies<\/strong>, given the circumstances,\u00a0to take action against child sexual abuse material.<\/strong>\u00a0Moreover, the creation of an EU Centre to validate detection technologies, coordination, and best practices is proof of the\u00a0EU\u2019s high commitment to a long-term solution.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eurochild believes in a\u00a0solution where comprehensive privacy is compatible with ensuring a high standard of child protection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As the current proposal requires detection technologies to be \u2018the least privacy-intrusive<\/em>\u2019, we argue that any consideration of\u00a0proportionality must put the child\u2019s best interests at the centre<\/strong>, especially in complex encrypted environments. The EU must be aware of the further damage any intervention affecting encryption could have on children themselves. Therefore, more investment in innovation is key to refine existing technological solutions and\u00a0build new technologies that combat child sexual abuse in an effective but safe manner.\u00a0<\/strong>Provisions must be expanded to include proactive technologies that help identifying new CSAM and grooming. Technology must also be part of the solution.<\/p>\n

Eurochild believes that\u00a0children are not only victims in need of protection, but rights\u2019 holders in their own right. It is therefore essential that children are directly involved in the development of the proposed legislation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The responsibility of a \u2018safe\u2019 and \u2018wise\u2019 use of online products should not fall on children. Instead,\u00a0online platforms and services must be designed in a way that it is safe for children<\/strong>. Eurochild commends the horizontal set of obligations foreseen in the EU\u2019s proposal regarding risk assessments and mitigation to prevent online features being used for child sexual abuse, hence supporting safety by design.<\/p>\n

Child online safety is a complex issue that goes beyond sexual violence<\/strong>, including the special susceptibility of children\u2019s data online. To mark Safer Internet Day, Eurochild calls for:<\/p>\n