Category Archives: Microsoft

A very bad day for children in Europe

Posted on December 21, 2020 by John Carr

If you live in an EU Member State and you have used Facebook Messenger or Instagram Direct today you probably saw this message. “Some features are not available. This is to respect new rules for messaging services in Europe. We’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Child abuse images, Default settings, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation | 1 Comment

The agony and the ecstasy – all in the same day

Posted on July 24, 2020 by John Carr

Regular readers will recall last year I got very  engaged with discussions on the new e-Privacy Regulation being drawn up in Brussels. They were threatening to outlaw the use of PhotoDNA and similar tools by certain types of electronic communications … Continue reading →

Posted in Child abuse images, Default settings, Microsoft, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation | 1 Comment

Voluntarism just isn’t working. Again.

Posted on November 10, 2019 by John Carr

Another excellent major story  has appeared in The New York Times. It details the failings of high tech businesses to address the scourge of child sex abuse still images and videos on the internet. The failures of voluntarism are again … Continue reading →

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Another big step forward – well done Google

Posted on September 3, 2018 by John Carr

Today Google are announcing the release  of a new tool which they are making available at no cost to relevant NGOs and industry partners. Here’s the problem it is addressing. Microsoft’s Photo DNA is brilliant. It works at scale to find … Continue reading →

Posted in Child abuse images, Google, Internet governance, Microsoft, Regulation, Self-regulation | Leave a comment

Child sex abuse images matter

Posted on March 9, 2018 by John Carr

Child sex abuse images which have been posted on the internet are important in and of themselves.  We do not need to justify taking action against them on any grounds other than the fact that they exist. Let’s remind ourselves … Continue reading →

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One more visit to the Last Chance Saloon

Posted on October 11, 2017 by John Carr

Today saw the launch of the long-awaited Green Paper (consultative document)  setting out the UK Government’s thinking on what a new internet safety strategy might look like. Containing almost 60 pages of densely written text, it pretty much covers the … Continue reading →

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We needed a shout. We got a whimper

Posted on October 2, 2017 by John Carr

Last week the Commission of the European Union issued a press release with a headline which is a little at odds with the contents. Here it is Commission steps up efforts to tackle illegal content online. In fact the press release only speaks … Continue reading →

Posted in Default settings, E-commerce, Facebook, Google, Internet governance, Microsoft, Regulation | Leave a comment

Begging a question

Posted on August 18, 2017 by John Carr

Amazing statistics emerged last week courtesy of a body called WARC which presents itself as Your global authority on advertising and media effectiveness. WARC was publicising a study carried out by Verto Analytics according to which, between them, Google and Facebook account for 25% of … Continue reading →

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Ireland heading for 13

Posted on July 27, 2017 by John Carr

As expected it looks as if Ireland is going to end up with 13 as the age of consent for data purposes under the GDPR. This was the recommendation of Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, the Irish special rapporteur on child protection. … Continue reading →

Posted in Age verification, Facebook, Google, Internet governance, Microsoft, Regulation, Self-regulation | Leave a comment

Election 2017 – a Digital Manifesto

Posted on April 30, 2017 by John Carr

Age verification for pornography sites was a key measure advocated in the Digital Manifesto published by the UK children’s charities ahead of the 2015 General Election. Earlier this week that proposal was adopted in the Digital Economy Act, 2017. This shows … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, CEOP, Child abuse images, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Facebook, Google, ICANN, Internet governance, Microsoft, Pornography, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation | Leave a comment