ISPs to Create Database to Combat Child Porn

BlueCup writes to tell us that several media companies are banding together to create a database of child pornography images to help law enforcement officials combat distribution of questionable material. In addition to the database several tools and new technologies are also planned but most notable is what some perceive as a willingness to cooperate which critics say has been lacking in the past. From the article: "Each company will set its own procedures on how it uses the database, but executives say the partnership will let companies exchange their best ideas — ultimately developing tools for preventing child-porn distribution instead of simply catching violations."

Comments

This discussion will come to nothing, so...

[jpardey]

...cue the jokes about the Catholic Church!

Re:Devil's Advocate

[Decker-Mage]

The problem I see here is that you'll only catch the stupid pedophiles. Those that use encryption, VPN's, or even HTTPS in their transmissions aren't going to be caught by this method. For instance, I know of several newsgroups services that allow HTTPS or other forms of secure login and transmission. Still, even catching the stupid ones is a start.

One thing does worry me though and that is that the RIAA, MPAA, and other special interest groups will similarly request and obtain such fingerprint screening. While I don't hold with violating intellectual property rights, I similarly don't hold with using police powers to enforce such rights. The state has far better things to do with their enforcement dollars, like go after pedophiles and other felony offenders, than enforce IP. Civil suits/courts are the venue for that.