Google announced plans to get rid of child pornography on the Internet. In a large-scale and expensive project, Google plans on creating a sharable database to send to law enforcement agencies and other tech companies to help combat child pornography. Rumors say that ex-United Kingdom PM David Cameron may have had a hand in Google’s announcement. Here are five fast facts you need to know.
1. Google’s Goal Is Important But Expensive
Published on June 15th, Google declared they would spend $5 million dollars with an additional $2 million to completely eradicate child porn from the world wide web. Obtaining statistics from the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children, the cybertipline recieved 17.3 million images and videos of child abuse in 2011 which has grown fourfold since 2007. The blog post adds a startling note that more than the images that are sent to the NCMEC comes from outside the United States. The company has been involved with issues like this since 2006 after joining the technology coalition.
2. They Created A System Called Hashing
In 2008, the famous firm made the “hashing” system. This technique allowed the company to prevent innappropriate images from consistently recurring in search. Google can monitor these thanks to a tag. Ultimately, these unique IDs helped law enforcement seek out and prosecute the perpetrators who post this online which is why this information is being put to good use.
3. Google Will Create A New Database
Google Giving Director Jacqueline Fuller said that the goal is to create a large and shareable database of these images. This would be shared among other companies and law enforcement to aid in prosecution efforts which will be supported by the companies hashing tool. NBC reports that the search engine wants to have this up and running within the year. While this is the focal point of their new initiative, the money they plan on spending will go towards the NCMEC and Internet Watch Foundation as well as create the Child Protection Technology Fund.
4. Other Companies Had Made Their Own Systems
Microsoft and Facebook utilized the PhotoDNA program to help identify predators. While this new project coming from Google will be for the greater good, this similar system will probably not be involved. Created by Microsoft’s research branch, the program’s purpose was to help law enforcement with identification.
5. David Cameron May Have Convinced Google To Launch This Project
A rumor may be that David Cameron is responsible for Google announcing this project but that is highly unlikely. Big tech firms have been struggling with issues dealing with these so prevention is neccessary. Information is becoming a key component of life now and some type of barrier needs to be installed. Kids have easy access to the web and guarding them against content like this has never become more important.