Meta can no longer overlook underage sexual content

Meta can no longer overlook underage sexual content

San Francisco, 6/7/2023

Meta has set up a task force to address concerns raised as part of a WSJ investigation.

It was found that Instagram’s algorithms enable a large network that promotes sexual content aimed at minors. The Wall Street Journal’s investigation, along with Stanford University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, found that the algorithms actively promote pedophiles and connect them to content sellers on Instagram.

According to the results, Instagram not only hosts such activities, but actively encourages them through its recommendation systems.

Competitors Snapchat and TikTok have not been found to enable similar networks. Although Twitter has a smaller number of accounts linked to child sexual abuse content, it appears to be acting more quickly to remove them, the report said.

Meta said it took steps to improve its content review processes and delete pirated accounts, removing a total of 27 pedophile networks from 2020-2022. In January, 490,000 accounts were banned for violating child safety guidelines.