An investigation revealed that Instagram allows you to search for ‘hashtags’ related to child sexual abuse, which lead to profiles that sell pedophile content.
The European Union’s Internal Market Commissioner, Thierry Breton, demanded on Thursday the US social media conglomerate Meta (classified in Russia as an extremist organization) to take “immediate action” against child pornography on its platforms after an investigation revealed that Instagram’s recommendation algorithms help connect and promote a wide network of profiles that sell pedophile materials.
“Meta’s voluntary code on child protection does not seem to work. [El presidente de Meta] Mark Zuckerberg debe explain and take immediate action. I will speak with him at the Meta headquarters in Menlo Park on June 23.” wrote Breton on his Twitter account.
The senior official stressed that the company will have to “demonstrate action” after August 25 or “will face heavy penalties” under the Digital Services Act.
The report, published this Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal, shows that Instagram allowed users to search for ‘hashtags’ related to child sexual abuse, including explicit terms such as #pedowhore (pedophile, in English) or #preteensex (preadolescent sex), leading to profiles featuring pedophile content, including videos of minors having sex with animals or with others children.
Similar activity was discovered on other social networks. On Twitter, 128 profiles were found offering to sell child sexual abuse materials.