Microsoft Introduces UK Child Abuse Warning

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The PC giant's Bing search engine becomes the first to launch an online warning system for anyone searching for illegal images.



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Warning: the screen that will greet users who search for abuse images


As well as warning users that child abuse images are illegal, the pop-up will link to the Stopitnow.org website which provides counselling for people addicted to looking at abuse images.

In a statement, Microsoft said: "Microsoft remain a strong proponent of proactive action by the technology industry in the fight against child exploitation.

"The Bing Notification Platform is just one way Microsoft is working to tackle the scourge of online child abuse content.


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David Cameron has threatened tough new
laws on internet service providers



"In addition, we have teams dedicated globally to abuse reporting on our services and the development of new innovations to combat child exploitation more broadly".

The Bing Notification Platform is triggered by search terms on a list provided by the The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), Microsoft said.

Andy Baker, CEOP's deputy chief executive, welcomed the creation of the device but said it was the first step towards blocking access to the illegal images and videos, and protect children.

He called on the industry to "take ownership" of the problem.

"While the Bing project isn't the whole solution, I hope it goes some way to making those who are curious about searching for indecent images think again," he said.

Research by Experian last December showed that Bing had a 4.99% share of the UK search engine market, which is dominated by Google and its 88.3% market share.

Microsoft's PhotoDNA technology is already widely used by Internet service providers and police to help prevent the proliferation of "some of the worst" illegal images online and to identify and rescue victims.

The move comes after David Cameron this week threatened to impose tough new laws on internet giants if they fail to blacklist key search terms for abuse images by October as part a crackdown on online porn.
 
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