Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse
European Union regulation proposal on CSAM detection / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse (Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, or CSAR) is a European Union regulation proposed by the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on 11 May 2022. The stated aim of the legislation is to prevent child sexual abuse online through the implementation of a number of measures, including the establishment of a framework that would make the detection and reporting of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by digital platforms a legal requirement within the European Union.[1][2]
European Union regulation | |
Text with EEA relevance | |
Title | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse |
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Journal reference | |
Preparative texts | |
Commission proposal | COM/2022/209 final |
Proposed |
Supporters of the regulation include dozens of campaign groups,[3] activists and MEPs, along with departments within the European Commission and European Parliament themselves.
The European Commission's Migration and Home Affairs department argues that voluntary actions by online service providers to detect online child sexual abuse are insufficient. They emphasize that some service providers are less involved in combating such abuse, leading to gaps where abuse can go undetected. Moreover, they highlight that companies can change their policies, making it challenging for authorities to prevent and combat child sexual abuse effectively. The EU currently relies on other countries, primarily the United States, to launch investigations into abuse occurring within the EU, resulting in delays and inefficiencies.[4]
Several bodies within the EU claim the establishment of a centralized organization, the EU Centre on Child Sexual Abuse, would create a single point of contact for receiving reports of child sexual abuse.[4][1] It is claimed this centralization would streamline the process by eliminating the need to send reports to multiple entities and would enable more efficient allocation of resources for investigation and response.[4]
Proponents also argue for the need to improve the transparency of the process of finding, reporting, and removing online child sexual abuse material. They claim that there is currently limited oversight of voluntary efforts in this regard. The EU Centre would collect data for transparency reports, provide clear information about the use of tools, and support audits of data and processes. It aims to prevent the unintended removal of legitimate content and address concerns about potential abuse or misuse of search tools.[4]
Another aspect highlighted by supporters is the necessity for improved cooperation between online service providers, civil society organizations, and public authorities. The EU Centre is envisioned as a facilitator, enhancing communication efficiency between service providers and EU countries. By minimizing the risk of data leaks, the Centre aims to ensure the secure exchange of sensitive information. This cooperation is crucial for sharing best practices, information, and research across different countries, thereby strengthening prevention efforts and victim support.[4]