Ministerial statement on second anniversary of Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

On the occasion of the second anniversary of the launch of the  Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, a statement was released by the Ministers of five countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States.

The Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse was launched in March 2020 in consultation with 6 technology companies, and the WeProtect Global Alliance to prevent child sexual exploitation and abuse. Since then the principle has been supported by the G7 Interior Ministers and 10 companies.

The statement  expressed concern on the growth, volume and severity of CSAM and called  companies and industry to endorse and transparently implement the Principles. The Technology Coalition was asked to provide information on the work being done under the “Project Protect” aimed to support shared efforts to address the issues of CSAM. Companies who have endorsed the principle were asked to share more information on what steps they take and how decisions are made to protect children online. They were  urged to continue to innovate and commit resources, make their services “safe by design”, provide age-appropriate services, and share information and lessons on gaps and challenges.