Ride the Lightning

ANTI-CHILD PORN TACTIC DOOMED TO FAILURE?

June 11, 2008

It’s no secret that those who seek out child pornography are usually ensnared by a web of electronic evidence. On June 10th, three ISPs announced that they would block access to online child pornography. While their goal is laudable, a recent report suggests that their decision may actually make it harder to combat this kind of crime. The report, by the Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography (formed by credit card issuers and Internet service providers to cut off funding for these crimes) states that the ISPs’ efforts are pushing child pornographers toward unregulated Web companies that allow anonymity in purchases.

How is it done? As an example, a user would submit monies to a currency exchange company. Most are (surprise!) located in foreign countries, who are ever-so-helpful (not) to law enforcement agencies. Many do not require proof of identity. Once they receive the funds, the currency exchange companies facilitate the transfer of funds to an online payment company, e.g. Paypal, which allows transactions over the Net. From there, the money is sent to the pornography site and the user’s identity is cloaked. One such payment system is called WebMoney, which is based in Belize and frequently used in Europe. These kinds of sites are frequently alleged to facilitate money laundering through gambling sites. They are reportedly welcoming the child porn industry with open arms.

Curiously enough, if the ISPs leave well enough alone, tracking those who seek child porn might be far easier.

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