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ICMEC Australia’s March 2025 Brown Bag event featured Dr Heather Wolbers, Principal Research Analyst at the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC). In this webinar, Dr Wolbers presents key findings from a national study on sextortion among adolescents aged 16-18. The discussion covers the prevalence of sextortion, the rise of financially motivated cases, the role of social media platforms, and the challenges young victims face in reporting these crimes.
Watch now to gain valuable insights into this critical issue and how different sectors can work together to combat online child exploitation.
Please note: This video contains sensitive content and is age-restricted. You will need to sign in to a YouTube account to watch.
To see more of our Monthly Brown Bag events visit our MBB Recordings page.
ICMEC on ABC Radio ICMEC Australia CEO, Colm Gannon, recently joined Ali Moore on ABC Melbourne Radio to discuss the growing dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). As AI technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, concerns around its ethical use, potential for exploitation, and impact on child protection are becoming increasingly urgent.
During the interview, Gannon highlighted the risks associated with AI-generated content, deepfakes, and the ease with which bad actors can use these tools to exploit children online. With AI now capable of creating highly realistic images, videos, and voice clones, the potential for misuse is alarming. ICMEC (International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) is at the forefront of advocating for stronger policies and regulations to safeguard vulnerable children from these emerging threats.
One of the key concerns raised in the discussion was the challenge of detecting AI-generated child abuse material. Traditional content moderation tools struggle to keep up with AI’s ability to rapidly produce new forms of harmful content. Gannon called for urgent collaboration between governments, tech companies, and child protection agencies to address this growing crisis.
Ali Moore also questioned the role of social media platforms and their responsibilities in preventing AI-driven exploitation. Gannon emphasized that while some platforms are taking steps to regulate AI use, enforcement remains inconsistent. He stressed the need for global cooperation and proactive AI legislation to ensure child safety remains a top priority.
ICMEC Australia continues to push for policy changes and technological solutions that can help combat the dangers posed by AI. Gannon’s appearance on ABC Melbourne Radio served as a crucial reminder that while AI presents incredible opportunities, it also demands urgent safeguards to protect the most vulnerable members of society. ICMEC on ABC Radio
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-drive/drive/105050584
https://icmec.org.au/icmec-australia-in-the-news/: Listen to Colm Gannon talk with Ali Moore on 774 ABC Radio‘Nudify’ economy: AI-powered “nudify” apps are fueling a disturbing rise in non-consensual sexual deepfakes, exploiting victims without their knowledge or consent. These apps use artificial intelligence to manipulate images, generating fake explicit content that can be used for harassment, blackmail, or online abuse. Australia is witnessing a growing concern over the ease with which these tools can be accessed, often through cryptocurrency transactions that make tracking offenders more difficult.
This article from Crikey delves into how these AI-driven exploitation tools work, the legal and ethical implications, and the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing their spread. Despite increasing awareness, the rapid advancement of generative AI makes it difficult to regulate these technologies effectively. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are calling for stronger legal protections to criminalize the creation and distribution of non-consensual deepfakes and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Victims often struggle with the emotional and reputational damage caused by these manipulated images, with limited legal recourse available. Many experience severe distress, as the circulation of fake explicit images can harm careers, relationships, and mental well-being. Social media platforms and online communities are under scrutiny for failing to detect and prevent the sharing of such content, raising questions about their responsibility in protecting users from online abuse.
Read the full analysis on Crikey to understand the scope of this alarming trend, the people affected, and the possible legal and technological solutions to combat AI-driven sexual exploitation..‘Nudify’ economy
ICMEC Australia’s February 2025 Brown Bag event featured our CEO, Colm Gannon. His presentation covered Operation Blackwrist, an international cross-agency investigation led by INTERPOL into a darkweb site containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) operated by a global network of offenders.
Colm, who was an investigator on the case, explored the financial elements of the operation, highlighting how collaborative cross-industry efforts between law enforcement and financial institutions were critical to authorities’ ability to overcome the challenges of investigating transaction laundering related to child sexual exploitation.
Please note: This video contains sensitive content and is age-restricted. You will need to sign in to a YouTube account to watch.
To see more of our Monthly Brown Bag events visit our MBB Recordings page.
ICMEC on ID Tech Podcast ICMEC on ID Tech Podcast ICMEC on ID Tech Podcast In a recent episode of the ID Talk Podcast, Colm Gannon, CEO of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) Australia, delved into the complex interplay between technology, privacy, and child protection. The discussion underscored the imperative of harmonizing regulatory frameworks with technological advancements to bolster the fight against child exploitation.The ID Talk Podcast+4LinkedIn+4Apple Podcasts+4
ICMEC's Collaborative Approach
Gannon highlighted ICMEC's multifaceted collaboration with law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, and technology companies. This triad partnership is pivotal in addressing the evolving challenges of child exploitation in the digital age. By fostering these alliances, ICMEC aims to create a cohesive strategy that leverages technological innovations while ensuring robust child protection mechanisms.Audacy+3Apple Podcasts+3Apple Podcasts+3
Balancing Privacy and Protection
A significant portion of the conversation centered on the delicate balance between safeguarding individual privacy rights and protecting victims of child exploitation. Gannon emphasized that while privacy is a fundamental right, it should not serve as a shield for criminal activities. He pointed out that certain privacy regulations, in their current form, might inadvertently protect perpetrators rather than victims, thereby necessitating a reevaluation to ensure that victim protection remains paramount. ID Tech Wire+1Apple Podcasts+1
Role of Emerging Technologies
The integration of technologies such as facial recognition and artificial intelligence (AI) in investigative processes was a focal point of the discussion. Gannon elaborated on how these tools can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of identifying and apprehending offenders. However, he also cautioned about the ethical considerations and potential biases inherent in AI systems, advocating for responsible adoption with appropriate oversight and governance.LinkedIn+2Apple Podcasts+2Apple Podcasts+2
Regulatory Developments and Challenges
The conversation also touched upon recent regulatory developments, including the European Union's AI Act. Gannon discussed how such regulations impact the deployment of AI and other technologies in law enforcement. He stressed the importance of crafting regulations that do not stifle innovation but instead promote the ethical use of technology in protecting vulnerable populations.Apple Podcasts+2LinkedIn+2Apple Podcasts+2
Conclusion
Gannon's insights shed light on the intricate dynamics between technological innovation, regulatory frameworks, and child protection efforts. The podcast episode serves as a call to action for stakeholders across sectors to collaborate, ensuring that advancements in technology are harnessed effectively and ethically to combat child exploitation.
For a more in-depth understanding, you can listen to the full episode of the ID Talk Podcast featuring Colm Gannon.
February 11 is Safer Internet Day.
In Australia, the eSafety Commissioner leads this important day, encouraging all of us to help make the internet a safer and more positive place.
At ICMEC Australia, we prioritise creating a safer digital environment by addressing the harmful impacts of online child sexual exploitation (CSE). Our dedicated focus is on fostering an online space that promotes positive outcomes, supports the development of a civil society, and places child protection at its core.
We all have a role to play in fostering a safer, more inclusive internet.
Here are five ways you can contribute:
1. Have conversations about online safety
2. Learn about online risks
3. Report harmful content
4. Practice respect and kindness online
5. Share online safety resources
You can view more resources here and learn more about how ICMEC Australia works towards a world where online technology can’t be used to harm children here.
Let's prioritise online safety every day and work together to build a safer digital future.
Hear from our CEO, Colm Gannon
In 2024, ICMEC Australia held two key industry events that underscored what we stand for: fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and inspiring action. Together, we are making meaningful strides toward creating a world where no child can be exploited. You can learn more about the importance of these events through the highlights below.
At our Symposium in October 2024, leaders from financial services, telecommunications, law enforcement, and government came together to tackle the ever-evolving challenges of child sexual exploitation (CSE). The event fostered open dialogue and encouraged bold, innovative solutions, with discussions focusing on strengthening cross-sector collaboration, leveraging technology and data to combat exploitation, and ensuring leadership and accountability to sustain impactful public-private initiatives.
The SaferAI for Children Summit at KPMG in October 2024, explored AI’s dual role as both a risk and a tool in child protection. Voices from government, academia, law enforcement, and the tech sector highlighted the dangers of AI misuse and its potential to transform how we prevent and address harm. The insights shared will guide our efforts to ensure technology is a force for good.
To stay updated on our upcoming events, visit our event page for the latest information.
Protecting children in the digital age has never been more crucial. The rapid advancements in Generative AI bring the promise of significant societal benefits, yet also present new risks. Developed in collaboration by the SaferAI for Children Coalition - a group of child protection organisations, academic experts, law enforcement agencies, and other public sector partners - this paper offers a comprehensive exploration of both the opportunities and challenges AI presents for child safety, and what this looks like in an Australian context.
We examine the ways AI-enabled tools can be misused for child sexual exploitation, but also highlight how AI can be a powerful force for good - detecting harmful content, aiding in investigations, and protecting vulnerable children. This discussion paper is a call to action and a guide, advocating for responsible use of AI to protect children and ensure that technology enhances rather than threatens their safety.
Download the SaferAI for Children coalition's, inaugural discussion paper to learn more about how we can collaborate to leverage AI's potential for a safer digital environment for all children.
To learn more about the work ICMEC Australia do, visit our research page.
ICMEC Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and Elders past and present.
