Manila: Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros has publicly criticized the ongoing spread of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) across online platforms, directly addressing tech companies’ inadequacies in controlling the use of their services for such harmful activities.

According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros made these remarks during a Senate hearing focused on the enforcement of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-CSAEM Act of 2022. The hearing’s objective is to scrutinize emerging trends in the creation and dissemination of CSAEM, evaluate the compliance of internet companies with their legal responsibilities, and assess the effectiveness of government measures in law enforcement.

Hontiveros highlighted that her office continues to receive numerous reports about CSAEM being circulated on major social media and messaging platforms. She noted that content is being shared openly on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram, with some materials even being publicly advertised. Samples of this content are set to be handed over to law enforcement for further action.

While acknowledging Meta’s quick response in preserving flagged content on Facebook, Hontiveros emphasized that the issue is not restricted to a single platform. She pointed out that CSAEM can also appear in simple Google searches and questioned tech giants about their failure to address this issue effectively.

The law passed in 2022 mandates various internet intermediaries, including service providers, hosting platforms, search engines, payment systems, messaging apps, and social media networks, to prevent and remove CSAEM content. However, Hontiveros argued that these companies have largely neglected their legal duties, stressing that the matter goes beyond content moderation and pertains to the prevention of crimes against children.