Google, Microsoft Use Tech To Block Child Porn

Censoring SearchGoogle and Microsoft have been working with law enforcement to stop pedophiles from sharing illegal pictures on the Internet. The latest technology blocks links to child pornography.

The effort has cleaned up the results for more than 100,000 queries related to kids. The technology will roll out in more than 150 languages, Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt wrote in an article appearing in Britain's Mail Online.

"While society will never wholly eliminate such depravity, we should do everything in our power to protect children from harm," Schmidt wrote. "That's why Internet companies like Google and Microsoft have been working with law enforcement for years to stop pedophiles sharing illegal pictures on the Web."

Google now shows warnings at the top of our search results for more than 13,000 queries. These alerts make clear that child sexual abuse is illegal and offers advice on where to get help. "This enables our computers to identify those pictures whenever they appear on our systems," Schmidt wrote. "Microsoft deserves a lot of credit for developing and sharing its picture detection technology."

While the search industry has yet to see a perfect algorithm that deletes child and related pornography, Schmidt explains how company engineers have developed a breakthrough technology that tags illegal videos on YouTube. The company hopes to make it available to other Internet companies after the first of the year.

The news and letter released during a cyber summit in London. The Voice of Russia estimates 20,000 people use encrypted and anonymous networks, such as the Tor, to post, search and communicate anonymously on the Web. Aside from piracy, the "dark Web" is a place for those involved in distributing child abuse materials.

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