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Behind the Scenes of Online Child Abuse Removal Efforts

The Internet Watch Foundation's analysts spend their days trawling the internet to remove the worst child sex abuse images online, a task that is both crucial and emotionally draining. Mabel, one of the organization's analysts, describes the work as "abhorrent" but notes that it also allows her to make a positive impact on the world. Despite the challenges, organizations like the IWF are helping to create safer online spaces for children.

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Arrests Made over Ai-Generated Child Abuse Images Δ1.74

A global crackdown on a criminal network that distributed artificial intelligence-generated images of children being sexually abused has resulted in the arrest of two dozen individuals, with Europol crediting international cooperation as key to the operation's success. The main suspect, a Danish national, operated an online platform where users paid for access to AI-generated material, sparking concerns about the use of such tools in child abuse cases. Authorities from 19 countries worked together to identify and apprehend those involved, with more arrests expected in the coming weeks.

How Roblox Is Fighting to Protect Its Young Users Δ1.74

Roblox, a social and gaming platform popular among children, has been taking steps to improve its child safety features in response to growing concerns about online abuse and exploitation. The company has recently formed a new non-profit organization with other major players like Discord, OpenAI, and Google to develop AI tools that can detect and report child sexual abuse material. Roblox is also introducing stricter age limits on certain types of interactions and experiences, as well as restricting access to chat functions for users under 13.

UK Asks Social Media Firms to Assess Online Risks by March 31 Δ1.72

Britain's media regulator Ofcom has set a March 31 deadline for social media and other online platforms to submit a risk assessment around the likelihood of users encountering illegal content on their sites. The Online Safety Act requires companies like Meta, Facebook, Instagram, and ByteDance's TikTok to take action against criminal activity and make their platforms safer. These firms must assess and mitigate risks related to terrorism, hate crime, child sexual exploitation, financial fraud, and other offences.

Child Sexual Abuse in Conflict Zones Sparks Global Outrage Δ1.71

The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war has been widely condemned by human rights groups and organizations such as UNICEF, who have reported on the horrific cases of child victims under five years old, including one-year-olds, being raped by armed men. According to UNICEF's database compiled by Sudan-based groups, about 16 cases involving children under five were registered since last year, with most of them being male. The organization has called for immediate action to prevent such atrocities and brought perpetrators to justice.

Europol Arrests Online Network Users for Sharing Ai Csam Δ1.71

Europol has arrested 25 individuals involved in an online network sharing AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), as part of a coordinated crackdown across 19 countries lacking clear guidelines. The European Union is currently considering a proposed rule to help law enforcement tackle this new situation, which Europol believes requires developing new investigative methods and tools. The agency plans to continue arresting those found producing, sharing, and distributing AI CSAM while launching an online campaign to raise awareness about the consequences of using AI for illegal purposes.

"Fake Nudes: Youths Confront Harms" Δ1.71

Teens increasingly traumatized by deepfake nudes clearly understand that the AI-generated images are harmful. A surprising recent Thorn survey suggests there's growing consensus among young people under 20 that making and sharing fake nudes is obviously abusive. The stigma surrounding creating and distributing non-consensual nudes appears to be shifting, with many teens now recognizing it as a serious form of abuse.

Reforming Digital Age of Consent to Protect Children Online Δ1.71

The proposed bill has been watered down, with key provisions removed or altered to gain government support. The revised legislation now focuses on providing guidance for parents and the education secretary to research the impact of social media on children. The bill's lead author, Labour MP Josh MacAlister, says the changes are necessary to make progress on the issue at every possible opportunity.

Women's Rights Under Attack and 'We Must Fight Back', Says UN Chief Δ1.71

The United Nations Secretary-General has warned that women's rights are under attack, with digital tools often silencing women's voices and fuelling harassment. Guterres urged the world to fight back against these threats, stressing that gender equality is not just about fairness, but also about power and dismantling systems that allow inequalities to fester. The international community must take action to ensure a better world for all.

Protecting Yourself From Vishing Attacks Surged 442% Last Year Δ1.71

Vishing attacks have skyrocketed, with CrowdStrike tracking at least six campaigns in which attackers pretended to be IT staffers to trick employees into sharing sensitive information. The security firm's 2025 Global Threat Report revealed a 442% increase in vishing attacks during the second half of 2024 compared to the first half. These attacks often use social engineering tactics, such as help desk social engineering and callback phishing, to gain remote access to computer systems.

Melania Trump Urges Lawmakers to Sign Bill Combatting Revenge-Porn. Δ1.70

The first lady urged lawmakers to vote for a bill with bipartisan support that would make "revenge-porn" a federal crime, citing the heartbreaking challenges faced by young teens subjected to malicious online content. The Take It Down bill aims to remove intimate images posted online without consent and requires technology companies to take down such content within 48 hours. Melania Trump's efforts appear to be part of her husband's administration's continued focus on child well-being and online safety.

Investigation Into Social Media Companies Over Children's Personal Data Practices Δ1.70

Britain's privacy watchdog has launched an investigation into how TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur safeguard children's privacy, citing concerns over the use of personal data by Chinese company ByteDance's short-form video-sharing platform. The investigation follows a fine imposed on TikTok in 2023 for breaching data protection law regarding children under 13. Social media companies are required to prevent children from accessing harmful content and enforce age limits.

Growth at All Costs Is Destroying the Internet Δ1.70

The internet's relentless pursuit of growth has led to a user experience that is increasingly frustrating, with websites cluttered with autoplay ads and tracking scripts, customer service chatbots that fail to deliver, and social media algorithms designed to keep users engaged but devoid of meaningful content. As companies prioritize short-term gains over long-term product quality, customers are suffering the consequences. The stagnation of major companies creates opportunities for startups to challenge incumbents and provide better alternatives.

Tech Giant Google Discloses Scale of AI-Generated Terrorism Content Complaints Δ1.70

Google has informed Australian authorities it received more than 250 complaints globally over nearly a year that its artificial intelligence software was used to make deepfake terrorism material, highlighting the growing concern about AI-generated harm. The tech giant also reported dozens of user reports warning about its AI program Gemini being used to create child abuse material. The disclosures underscore the need for better guardrails around AI technology to prevent such misuse.

UK Probes How TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur Protect Child Privacy Δ1.70

The U.K.'s Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has initiated investigations into TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur regarding their practices for safeguarding children's privacy on their platforms. The inquiries focus on TikTok's handling of personal data from users aged 13 to 17, particularly concerning the exposure to potentially harmful content, while also evaluating Reddit and Imgur's age verification processes and data management. These probes are part of a larger effort by U.K. authorities to ensure compliance with data protection laws, especially following previous penalties against companies like TikTok for failing to obtain proper consent from younger users.

Microsoft Teams and Other Windows Tools Hijacked to Hack Corporate Networks Δ1.70

Hackers are exploiting Microsoft Teams and other legitimate Windows tools to launch sophisticated attacks on corporate networks, employing social engineering tactics to gain access to remote desktop solutions. Once inside, they sideload flawed .DLL files that enable the installation of BackConnect, a remote access tool that allows persistent control over compromised devices. This emerging threat highlights the urgent need for businesses to enhance their cybersecurity measures, particularly through employee education and the implementation of multi-factor authentication.

How to Fix AI's Fatal Flaw - and Give Creators Their Due (Before It's Too Late) Δ1.70

AI image and video generation models face significant ethical challenges, primarily concerning the use of existing content for training without creator consent or compensation. The proposed solution, AItextify, aims to create a fair compensation model akin to Spotify, ensuring creators are paid whenever their work is utilized by AI systems. This innovative approach not only protects creators' rights but also enhances the quality of AI-generated content by fostering collaboration between creators and technology.

Tech Industry Unites to Provide Laptops and Internet for Wildfire Survivors Δ1.69

More than 400 residents affected by recent wildfires will receive free laptops and internet access as part of a major relief effort, marking a significant contribution from the tech industry to support those in need. Human-I-T, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the digital divide, has partnered with the City of Pasadena, Laserfiche, and other organizations to provide critical technology. The initiative aims to help affected residents stay connected, access essential resources, and begin rebuilding their lives.

Federal Worker Cuts to Hit National Security Hard Δ1.69

Former top U.S. cybersecurity official Rob Joyce warned lawmakers on Wednesday that cuts to federal probationary employees will have a "devastating impact" on U.S. national security. The elimination of these workers, who are responsible for hunting and eradicating cyber threats, will destroy a critical pipeline of talent, according to Joyce. As a result, the U.S. government's ability to protect itself from sophisticated cyber attacks may be severely compromised. The probe into China's hacking campaign by the Chinese Communist Party has significant implications for national security.

TikTok Under Scrutiny Over Children's Data Use Δ1.69

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched a major investigation into TikTok's use of children's personal information, specifically how the platform recommends content to users aged 13-17. The ICO will inspect TikTok's data collection practices and determine whether they could lead to children experiencing harms, such as data leaks or excessive screen time. TikTok has assured that its recommender systems operate under strict measures to protect teen privacy.

Oscars Face Backlash over Social Media Misconduct Δ1.69

Netflix's hopes for claiming an Academy Award for best picture appear to have vanished after a series of embarrassing social media posts resurfaced, damaging the film's chances. Karla Sofia Gascon's past posts, in which she described Islam as a "hotbed of infection for humanity" and George Floyd as a "drug addict swindler," have sparked controversy and raised questions about the authenticity of her Oscar-nominated performance. The incident has highlighted the challenges of maintaining a professional image in the entertainment industry.

India's Angel One Says Assessing Impact After Security Breach Δ1.69

Indian stock broker Angel One has confirmed that some of its Amazon Web Services (AWS) resources were compromised, prompting the company to hire an external forensic partner to investigate the impact. The breach did not affect clients' securities, funds, and credentials, with all client accounts remaining secure. Angel One is taking proactive steps to secure its systems after being notified by a dark-web monitoring partner.

Microsoft Warns of Chinese Hackers Targeting Cloud Apps to Steal Business Data Δ1.69

Microsoft's Threat Intelligence has identified a new tactic from Chinese threat actor Silk Typhoon towards targeting "common IT solutions" such as cloud applications and remote management tools in order to gain access to victim systems. The group has been observed attacking a wide range of sectors, including IT services and infrastructure, healthcare, legal services, defense, government agencies, and many more. By exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in edge devices, Silk Typhoon has established itself as one of the Chinese threat actors with the "largest targeting footprints".

Microsoft's Copilot AI to Stop Helping Pirates Δ1.68

Microsoft's AI assistant Copilot will no longer provide guidance on how to activate pirated versions of Windows 11. The update aims to curb digital piracy by ensuring users are aware that it is both illegal and against Microsoft's user agreement. As a result, if asked about pirating software, Copilot now responds that it cannot assist with such actions.

Microsoft Names Cybercriminals Who Created Explicit Deepfakes Δ1.68

Microsoft has identified and named four individuals allegedly responsible for creating and distributing explicit deepfakes using leaked API keys from multiple Microsoft customers. The group, dubbed the “Azure Abuse Enterprise”, is said to have developed malicious tools that allowed threat actors to bypass generative AI guardrails to generate harmful content. This discovery highlights the growing concern of cybercriminals exploiting AI-powered services for nefarious purposes.

ClickFix Attack Hijacks Microsoft SharePoint to Spread Havoc Malware Δ1.68

Security researchers spotted a new ClickFix campaign that has been abusing Microsoft SharePoint to distribute the Havoc post-exploitation framework. The attack chain starts with a phishing email, carrying a "restricted notice" as an .HTML attachment, which prompts the victim to update their DNS cache manually and then runs a script that downloads the Havoc framework as a DLL file. Cybercriminals are exploiting Microsoft tools to bypass email security and target victims with advanced red teaming and adversary simulation capabilities.