Google has adapted an existing
program in a bid to track files containing child pornography.
The software, which was originally created by the search engine to block copyrighted
videos from being posted on its YouTube
site, is now being used by the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to identify and remove
files containing child sex abuse.
In the past year alone, the NCMEC has investigated over five million child
sex abuse images and videos. Google hopes the software will make it easier and
quicker to sort through the files.
"The tools we've built for NCMEC will allow its analysts to more efficiently
and accurately manage the task of sifting through the videos and images they
have collected," said Alan Eustace, senior vice president of engineering
and research at Google.
"The program uses pattern recognition and will work even if the pattern
has been modified. So if police can identify a pattern such as a calendar on
the wall or a t-shirt logo, they have a much better chance of finding the exploited
child and catching the suspect," explained technology analyst Larry Magid.
"Criminals are using cutting edge technology to commit their crimes of
child sexual exploitation, and in fighting to solve those crimes and keep children
safe, we must do the same," said NCMEC president and CEO Ernie Allen.
