In May 2022, the Commission proposed a separate CSA-related draft legislation to mandate digital services to use automated technologies to detect and report CSA material on their platforms. However, this plan has been controversial, with criticisms over the Commission's focus on digital messaging platforms and its connections with child safety tech lobbyists. The final shape of the proposals will be determined by the EU's co-legislators in the Parliament and Council.
Key takeaways:
- The European Union is planning to criminalize AI-generated imagery and deepfakes depicting child sexual abuse (CSA), as well as the possession and exchange of 'pedophile manuals'.
- The EU is also proposing to create a new criminal offense for livestreaming child sexual abuse.
- These plans are part of a wider package of measures intended to boost prevention of CSA, including increasing awareness of online risks and making it easier for victims to report crimes and obtain support.
- The Commission is also considering making it obligatory for digital services to use automated technologies to detect and report existing or new child sexual abuse material (CSAM) circulating on their platforms.