The eSafety Commission has urged Apple to strengthen protections for children and users against threats such as terrorist content and technology-driven abuse.
Apple's introduction of a new feature allowing Australian children to directly report unwanted nude images to the company has been met with approval from the Commission.
This new in-app reporting feature will initially be available to children in Australia, with an option for adults to opt in. Plans are underway to expand the feature to other countries.
Commissioner Julie Inman Grant welcomed the initiative, highlighting that the eSafety Commission has long supported the need for easy-to-access user reporting tools. She referenced the 2022 Basic Online Safety Expectations (BOSE) report, which noted that Apple did not have a proper reporting system in place at the time.
She emphasized that Apple’s decision to launch this feature in Australia first is significant.
Inman Grant added that this reporting tool, together with Apple’s nudity detection in messages, AirDrop, and FaceTime, marks an important advancement in protecting children from unwanted images on Apple devices.
However, she encouraged Apple to broaden its protective measures to cover additional risks like terrorist content and abuse enabled by technology. She also called on other platforms lacking similar safety features to implement them.
On September 6, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) raised concerns about a growing issue where children are coerced into producing extreme sexual and violent content online.
The AFP described this practice, called sadistic sextortion, as an escalating online threat targeting children as young as 12 on social media and messaging apps. Criminals use manipulative tactics to force minors into creating explicit content for acceptance into harmful online groups.
According to data from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), there were 560 reported cases of sextortion in the first half of 2024, averaging 93 per month, a decrease from 300 per month in 2023.
Helen Schneider, AFP Commander of Human Exploitation, stressed the need for open conversations between parents and children about their online activity to provide support when needed.
She pointed out that signs of harmful online behavior might include increased screen time, withdrawal from social activities, or secretive behavior regarding online interactions.
The AFP advised parents to stop any communication with suspicious individuals, document conversations, block accounts, and report incidents. Families are also encouraged to seek support from trusted sources or professional services, with mental health resources like Kids Helpline available for free counseling.
In emergencies, individuals should contact triple zero (000) or their local police, and report crimes to the ACCCE.
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