NCPCR issues notice to online platforms over child sexual abuse material

The apex child rights body, NCPCR, has issued a notice to Google, Twitter and WhatsApp to highlight its concern over increased traffic for child pornography from India through these platforms during lockdown.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has started an independent inquiry on availability of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online and based on evidence found so far, the NCPCR has given these online platforms time till April 30 to respond to the notice.

The NCPCR, in its notices, cites a recent report by India Child Protection Fund that showed a steep spike in those searching for CSAM online during the lockdown.

In the notice to Twitter India, NCPCR states, "It is seen that as per your standard terms and conditions, a person of 13 years and above is eligible to open an account on Twitter. If you are allowing children at the age of 13 to open an account, the commission is of the view that you can't allow the other users to publish, propagate pornographic material, links etc. on Twitter."
In it notice to Google India, it said, "It is noticed during inquiry that pornographic material is accessible through the apps available on Google Play Store. By mere downloading these apps from the platform the user can access such material."