DIGITAL LIFE

Reports of AI-generated sexual images of children have been received in Portugal

The Safe Internet Center has already received requests for help related to AI-generated sexual images of children, with cases of content created by schoolmates that is then shared in WhatsApp groups and sometimes on Instagram Stories.

Cases of child sexual abuse using content generated through artificial intelligence are on the rise. Data from a recent report by the Internet Watch Foundation show that, in the first half of this year alone, 210 online pages containing such content were detected.

In Portugal, the Safe Internet Center admits that requests for help have already been received related to AI-generated sexual images of children, with reports originating from the Safe Internet Line, operated by the Portuguese Victim Support Association.

In statements to the Lusa news agency, the Safe Internet Center details that the production of this type of illegal content is done by "peers or schoolmates," and is then shared in WhatsApp groups and sometimes on Instagram Stories.

According to the CIS, the growing popularity of AI-enabled tools is amplifying this content, allowing for the rapid creation of websites. The issue becomes even more complicated when one considers that there is still no technology, at least for the general public, capable of effectively detecting "whether content was artificially generated at the time," it states.

Recalling that there are already several platforms that solely aim to create intimate images of women, the CIS emphasizes that this is a "reality that has quickly extended to sexual content of minors," warning that, once images of young people become available online, anyone can use them to create artificial sexual material.

In cases where AI is used to create malicious content, "the responsibility always falls on those who produce and distribute this type of content," it emphasizes.

To reduce risks, the CIS indicates that "monitoring children in the digital world is essential," advising parents to pay attention to the images that are captured and shared on different platforms, but also to be "careful with the equipment that children are given access to."

When it comes to social media access, young people who are old enough to use them should be encouraged to keep their profiles private, controlling who can see what is posted and reviewing their privacy settings.

Parents should advise their children on the "importance of limiting the visibility of photos or personal information." Among the aspects to be aware of are links, attachments, and downloads from unknown sources, as well as suspicious requests for intimate photos, money, or personal data, as well as requests for migration to other online platforms.

While admitting that these measures "do not completely eliminate the risk," they "help reduce exposure and strengthen the protection of children and young people in the digital environment."

It is worth noting that, according to data from the Internet Watch Foundation, between January and June of this year, the number of videos containing AI-generated child sexual abuse content skyrocketed. During this period, 1,286 individual videos were detected, and of these, 1,006 contained extreme depictions of rape, torture, and sexual practices with animals.

The British organization warns that AI-generated child sexual abuse videos have become so realistic that it's becoming increasingly difficult to tell what's fake and what's real.

The quality of the generated content has taken a "huge leap" in the last year, the Internet Watch Foundation notes, adding that criminals are now producing this material on a massive scale. Without urgent action, it's very likely that criminals may one day be able to produce full-length AI-generated child sexual abuse films, the organization warns.

https://www.iwf.org.uk/news-media/news/full-feature-length-ai-films-of-child-sexual-abuse-will-be-inevitable-as-synthetic-videos-make-huge-leaps-in-sophistication-in-a-year/

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