Tech companies need to play a more active role in halting the streaming of child abuse content online.
The US Congress is considering passing the STOP CSAM Act (H.R.3921 and S.1829), a bill aimed at combating online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). If passed, this bipartisan legislation would require online platform operators to issue annual transparency reports about their efforts to combat OSEC, marking a significant step towards improving transparency and combating this growing crisis.
The STOP CSAM Act, currently in the legislative process, has the potential to mandate transparency from online platforms regarding their measures against child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This could increase accountability and improve detection and mitigation efforts. Additionally, it would strengthen the overall U.S. government response to online child sexual exploitation by formalizing reporting requirements and possibly enhancing enforcement tools.
Related legislation, such as the PROACTIV AI Data Act introduced in July 2025, seeks to combat AI-generated CSAM by encouraging AI developers to proactively screen and remove known child sexual abuse material from their training datasets.
The Act's passage would likely result in stronger oversight of online platforms and could complement other efforts targeting emerging threats like AI-generated CSAM. It is worth noting that online platforms are already required to report child sex trafficking under the REPORT Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in May 2024.
Meanwhile, the Philippines, a country where OSEC is a significant issue, has made strides in combating human trafficking. The US State Department upgraded the Philippines to Tier 1 in its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report in 2016, a recognition of the progress made against human trafficking. Organizations like International Justice Mission (IJM), led by Samson Inocencio Jr., are committed to protecting children from this form of human trafficking. Since 2011, through IJM-supported cases, Philippine law enforcement has brought to safety over 1,470 victims, arrested over 430 traffickers, and convicted over 265 perpetrators.
Samson Inocencio Jr., the national director for IJM in the Philippines and the regional Vice President of IJM's OSEC Hub, was recognized as a TIP Report Hero by the US Department of State last year. His work in combating OSEC is a testament to the ongoing efforts to protect children from this heinous crime.
As the world observes the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, it is essential that countries like the US, where sex offenders driving the demand for this crime often live, take action. Technology companies play a pivotal role in protecting victims from being exploited online and must be part of the solution to combat human trafficking. The STOP CSAM Act, if passed, would allow victims to seek legal recourse against online platforms that promote or aid and abet their exploitation.
While the STOP CSAM Act has not yet become law, it represents a significant step towards improving transparency and combating online child sexual exploitation. Its passage would likely result in stronger oversight of online platforms and could complement other efforts targeting emerging threats like AI-generated CSAM.
- The STOP CSAM Act, when passed, is expected to extend the reporting requirements to online platforms regarding child sex trafficking, similar to the regulations imposed by the REPORT Act in the US.
- In the domain of health-and-wellness, it's crucial for technology companies to collaborate in protecting children from online exploitation, as they play a vital role in safeguarding victim welfare.
- The technology sector can contribute to the global news by developing AI systems that screen and remove child sexual abuse material from their training datasets, like what the PROACTIV AI Data Act aims to achieve.
