Study: Instagram enables global paedophile network
Occurred: June 2023
Report incident 🔥 | Improve page 💁 | Access database 🔢
Instagram's recommendation system has been actively facilitating the spread and sale of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal and researchers at the Stanford Internet Observatory and University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Accounts discovered by the researchers were advertised using hashtags like #pedowhore and #pedobait, directing users to 'menus' of content where they can buy videos and images, including of of self-harm and bestiality.
The researchers reckoned the size of the seller network ranged between 500 and 1,000 accounts at any one time, and communicated through Instagram's direct messaging function.
Meta said it would start a new task force to investigate and address the issues raised by the investigation. An April 2023 Guardian investigation documented how Meta had been struggling to prevent paedophiles and others from using its platforms to buy and sell children for sex.
Investigations, assessments, audits 🧐
Wall Street Journal (2023). Instagram Connects Vast Pedophile Network
News, commentary, analysis 🗞️
Page info
Type: Incident
Published: June 2023