Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Background.
The ISPAI www.hotline.ie Service (The Hotline) provides a facility for the public to report content on the Internet they suspect to be illegal, especially child pornography, so that action may be taken to remove it. The objectives are to deter illegal use of Internet facilities, particularly for distribution of child pornography and to provide a safer Internet environment for all who use it, particularly children.
This report, the third major report of the Hotline since its establishment in November 1999, covers the period 1st July 2003 to 31st December 2005. It also makes comparisons to the previous reporting periods and observations on trends.
Reporting level.
The Hotline has witnessed continued strong growth in reports received over this period. In total 5102 reports were received over the 30 month period. The average number of reports received every month calculated over each half-year has grown almost consistently, from 154 per month (July to December 2003) to 195 per month (July to December 2005).
It is believed that this rise is due to two factors, the sheer month on month growth in the number of people using the Internet and, an increased visibility of the Hotline so the public know where suspected content may be reported.
Suspicions reported.
The primary reason for the establishment of the Hotline was to combat illegal child pornography being distributed on the Internet. This is the stated suspicion of most reports received by the Hotline. Others include financial fraud attempts, racist material and incitement to violence.
In the period 4469 reports (87.6%) cited or implied that child related illegal material had been encountered. Only 78 implied any other kind of illegal content. 48 reports complained about adult pornography. 23 were computer related (complaints about viruses, denial of service, hacking and such like). In the case of 486 reports received, insufficient information was given to allow the Hotline categorise the suspicion.
Analysis process.
All reports received are transferred to the Hotline database where details are recorded and the complaint categorised. Each stage of the assessment and tracing process is recorded along with the findings and actions carried out by the Hotline Analysts. The Analyst initially tries to access the reported content. In 26% of reports the content could not be found. Approximately 4% of reports were either queries or matters outside the Hotline remit where no content access is undertaken.
Where the content is accessed, the Analyst tries to determine whether or not the images and text presented break relevant Irish law. In cases of suspected child pornography, this is compared to the criteria given in the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act (1998). A brief description of the content found is recorded. Where the content is assessed as probably illegal, references to sample items in breach of the law are noted with a terse explanation of criteria observed that make it so.
Determinations.
In the period, 908 reports (17.8%) referred to content determined by the Hotline to be probably illegal child pornography under the 1998 Act. 69 reports (1.4%) referred to images of children that did not break the law. Just over 24% of reports proved to be adult pornography which is not illegal and a further 24% led to non-pornographic material that the Hotline determined as not illegal. 125 reports (2.5%) referred to other illegal content such as financial scams, racist material, attempts to infect with computer virus, etc.
Membership of INHOPE.
The global and open nature of the Internet makes it impossible for any country to be effective in countering illegal material on the Internet if it acts in isolation. To be effective, especially in the fight against child pornography, the Hotline must cooperate with similar organisations around the world. It is imperative that partner organisations are approved by their governments and can be trusted to operate at the highest standards. INHOPE is the Association that provides this best practice and coordination function. By having trusted INHOPE partner Hotlines, illegal content discovered by one country but located in another, can be swiftly forwarded for action to the Hotline in that other jurisdiction.
Resulting action.
Having determined reported content to be illegal, the Analyst then attempts to trace the source country and network. In 52 cases, despite best efforts, the origin of the content simply could not be located. In all remaining cases the apparent source was traced. Where that country has an INHOPE member Hotline, details about the reported content (never the reporter) are forwarded to that Hotline for action in that jurisdiction. In the period 363 reports were forwarded to other INHOPE hotlines.
If the origin is traced to a country where an INHOPE member Hotline does not exist, details about the reported content (never the reporter) are forwarded to a designated contact in An Garda Síochána headquarters. The reports are then forwarded to Interpol where it can be transmitted to law enforcement in the country where the content appears to be located. 277 reports were forwarded to An Garda Síochána in the period.
If the content was traced to Ireland, the ISPAI member and An Garda Síochána would be notified by the Hotline simultaneously. Not a single report confirmed as referring to illegal child pornography, was traced as either hosted in, or distributed from, Ireland. Therefore this mechanism has never been invoked.
The number of reports referring to illegal material forwarded by the Hotline has grown in each full year of operation. 336 reports were forwarded in 2005 a 25% increase on the previous year (2004), which itself was an 87% increase on 2003.
Relationship with Law Enforcement.
It must be emphasised that only An Garda Síochána fulfil the role of law enforcement in the State. The Hotline has support from Government and the Gardaí only to accept reports of content that is hosted or distributed on Internet services. It acts as a filter to ensure that law enforcement receives qualified reports that actually pertain to their jurisdiction. It is they who conduct any criminal investigations of the perpetrators behind this illegal content. Once the Hotline has passed its content assessment and the technical information it has gathered on the Internet to law enforcement, the Hotline's role is completed. The Hotline very much appreciates the support it has received from An Garda Síochána in the period who have promoted the Hotline on their website and in the Garda pages of the national telephone directories.
Support from Industry.
The ISPAI is supported by self-regulating members of the Internet industry. Other major IT companies who are not ISPs also provide support. Microsoft Ireland arranged a promotional stand for the Hotline at the "Make IT Secure" launch event. They have also provided a donation of software licences. It is important that new entrants to the Irish Internet hosting and access market play their part to support the Hotline and thereby contribute to the International efforts to combat the proliferation of illegal Internet content.
Conclusions.
It must be remembered that in the reporting period there has been a massive growth in Internet usage. This results in a greater likelihood of illegal content being encountered by someone for whom it is not intended. A greater level of reporting does not necessarily mean a large increase in the amount of illegal content on the Internet. However, while that minute fraction exists it does pose a risk, particularly to children. To minimise that risk of exposure, the Hotline advocates the use of parentally controlled filtering software on home computers used by children.
Analysis of reporting over the last five years shows there maybe a reducing trend overall. While absolute numbers of both reports and confirmed illegal material have risen, the rate of increase of Hotline confirmed illegal content is considerably less than the rate of increase in reporting. 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.
However, there is no room for complacency. The Hotline Analysts have observed an increase in the severity of openly available illegal child pornography in the reports received. Approximately 60% of this illegal material falls into categories that constitute the rape of children. The legal term "child pornography" sanitises what this material actually entails. 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.
The primary motivation behind the ISPAI www.hotline.ie Service and the INHOPE Hotline network, is the aspiration of eliminating exchange of these images via the Internet, so curtailing demand for their production which, hopefully, will reduced the incidence of children being abused to supply this market. Through the coordinated endeavours of all stakeholders, we strive toward a time when illegal child pornography will largely be eliminated from the Internet, providing a safer and more enjoyable Internet environment for all.
