Complaint from the public results in network of child sexual abuse websites being brought down

01.10.08

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has collaborated with the Irish Internet Hotline to disable a network of websites that provided access to child sexual abuse material.

‘The successful outcome is an example of how the public can take real action against suspected illegal images on the internet and how hotlines, law enforcement and the internet industry can work swiftly together to prevent the distribution of child abuse material online,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman,

The action was initiated by an anonymous report from a member of the Irish public who used the ’Report Illegal Content‘ form on the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland’s Hotline.ie website. Hotline.ie analysts confirmed the images were illegal under Irish law and found that the site was part of a network of related sites. All contained illegal images of children being sexually abused.

The Irish Internet Hotline ascertained the sites were registered in Australia and referred the details to ACMA, which in consultation with the Australian Federal Police, made contact with the Australian domain name registrar Melbourne IT. Melbourne IT determined that the sites breached its terms and conditions of domain name registration and quickly took action to prevent the domain names in question from directing to the offending sites.

ACMA’s relationship with the Irish Internet Hotline comes from membership of the International Association of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE) which now comprises 33 hotlines covering 29 countries. INHOPE’s mission is to eliminate child abuse material from the Internet and to protect young people from harmful and illegal uses of the Internet.

‘The global nature of the internet means that international co-operation is essential for dealing with problematic material. This excellent outcome underlies the invaluable role played by internet hotlines such as ACMA’s in responding to illegal material online and the value of collaboration between these bodies and industry,’ said Mr Chapman.

‘The internet is so vast that neither the internet industry nor law enforcement can be expected to know the whereabouts of illegal content unless it is brought to their attention. Internet hotlines provide this facility and this outcome is an example of the success that can be achieved through international collaboration involving industry and regulatory bodies,’ said Paul Durrant, General Manager of the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland’s Hotline.ie service.

Source: Irish Press Release