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eSafety welcomes Apple’s new online child safety features

The eSafety commissioner has welcomed Apple’s new feature allowing children to report explicit content received on iMessage but said the company could still do more.

On Thursday, Apple announced its latest iOS update features in Australia, allowing users to report images or videos sent to them, which could then be reported to police.

Reports will be generated from the device sent the explicit content, and also include the messages sent immediately before and after. Apple will review the matter and decide whether to take further action on an account.

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Following the announcement, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said while the changes were welcomed, she called on “Apple to broaden its approach”.

Inman Grant said that should include further protection for children and all users from the full range of online harms, including terrorist content, technology-facilitated abuse and re-traumatisation through the hosting and sharing of child sexual exploitation material.

“This is a positive safety innovation and as Apple continues to test its efficacy, we look forward to learning how such tools can contribute to greater safety outcomes across the industry,” she said.

“We also commend Apple for making this Communications Safety tool available to developers.

“eSafety has long encouraged Safety by Design whereby we urge all technology companies to build safety protections into their products and services, preventing online harms from happening in the first place.  Our aim is to ‘lift all boats’.”

The direct reporting follows safety features already implemented, including devices being able to detect images and videos that contain nudity sent through messages, AirDrop, FaceTime or other in-phone apps.

The eSafety commissioner’s complete statement can be read here.

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