Conclusions
Conclusions
Reporting levels.
The increase in reports received from 2240 (adjusted) in the 2nd Hotline report to 5102 in this 3rdReport must not be misconstrued. There has been a very large increase in the number of Internet users in Ireland over the reporting period. With so many more people surfing the Web, there is simply an increased probability of some illegal content somewhere on the Internet being encountered by Irish users. In addition, with the consistently high level of spam distributed daily, there are now simply more users to receive the fraction that is apparently advertising illegal content.
The Hotline has also made great efforts to increase its visibility to the public over the reporting period. This has been aided by awareness raising campaigns by the Internet Advisory Board and the European Commission funded Safer Internet Awareness projects. It is quite likely that these efforts have allowed more people to know where to send a report when they encounter suspected illegal content on the Internet.
A greater level of reporting does not necessarily mean that the amount of illegal content on the Internet is growing. The Hotline experience is that much is recycled material being placed in new locations when old ones are closed down. The greater number of reports is also positive. It may be seen as generating more activity by Hotlines who, by notifying hosting ISPs and law enforcement, causes constant disruption of the sources of illegal content on the Internet.
While that miniscule fraction of illegal content and improper use of communication services on the Internet exists, it does pose a risk, particularly to children. To minimise that risk of exposure, the Hotline strongly recommends that parents and guardians use of parentally controlled filtering software on home computers used by children.
Hotline assessment activities.
Analysis of the outcome of reports received shows that in approximately 20% of all reports (including duplicates), the Hotline determination concurs with that cited or implied as the suspicion. There is further 26% where the content is not found or has already been taken down by the Hosting ISP by the time the Hotline makes an access attempt. The Hotline classifies a report as “already removed by ISP” when a notice to that effect has been placed by the hosting ISP. It is very encouraging that 6% of all reports received have been so removed within 24 hours. It is quite probable that many of the remaining 20% “not found” had also been disabled by the ISP but without an announcement. This is a trend that the Hotline will monitor with interest.
Trends analysis.
Absolute numbers of reports received and those determined to be probably illegal and forwarded for action, have both increased steadily over the last five years. While the monthly results are very erratic, trend analysis shows that there has been a slight but steady decline in the proportion of illegal to suspected content over the same time.
Comparison of trends in proportion of confirmed illegal child content
This may be a quirk of the random increases and decreases of monthly reporting and determination patterns. However, If the trends observed are representative of the wider Internet, it may signal that the proportion of illegal material being openly distributed on the Internet is falling. This does give some encouragement that the efforts of Hotlines and other agencies involved in the fight against illegal content on the Internet, may be beginning to have some positive impact.
Hotline observations on content.
However, there is no room for complacency. While there is a possibility of a slight reduction in quantity of child pornography, the content itself has evolved for the worse. The Hotline Analysts have observed an increase in the severity of openly available illegal child pornography in the reports received. The term “child pornography” used in legislation sanitises what this material actually entails. About 60% of the illegal content now seen by the Hotline Analysts involves children, sometimes as young as 5 or 6, being sexually molested, penetratively raped and forced to perform oral sex. All this is captured on camera and then provided over the Internet. These videos and still images have captured evidence of heinous crimes being committed against innocent children. It is technical reference to this evidence that the Hotline forwards to law enforcement so they may initiate criminal investigations. It is through the work of law enforcement that the most important outcome can be achieved. That is, to locate where these crimes are being committed, apprehend the abusers and those profiting from the illicit trade and to identify the child victims so they may be removed from risk of further abuse.
Requirement for Hotline.
The statistics provided in this report show that globally there is persistent misuse of the Internet by some. Relative to the numbers of users of the Internet and the vast amount of beneficial content and services it provides, illegal content and use represents a miniscule proportion. However, the ISPAI and like-minded ISPs around the world do not want Internet facilities they provide being misused in this way. The individual Hotlines in each country, coordinated by the INHOPE Hotline network, are at the frontline in fighting this misuse of the Internet. One must ask what the situation might be like if Internet Hotlines didn’t exist. The ISPAI encourages new countries to establish Hotlines to widen the INHOPE network and make it increasingly effective.
