Instagram's algorithms make it easier to sell child pornography

Instagram, a subsidiary of Meta, is the main platform used by pedophile networks to promote and sell content showing sexual abuse of minors, according to a report by Stanford University and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

"Large networks of accounts, which give the appearance of being operated by minors, openly promote the sale of content" child pornography, said Wednesday researchers from the Cyber ​​Policy Center of the prestigious University of Silicon Valley. “Instagram is currently the most important platform for these networks with features like content recommendation algorithms and messaging that helps sellers connect with buyers,” they added.

And neither the pedophiles nor these networks need to show much ingenuity. According to the WSJ, a simple search with keywords such as

The accounts don't directly say they're selling these images, but they do feature menus with options, including asking for specific sex acts, in some cases. Stanford researchers also spotted offers for videos with bestiality and self-harm. "At a certain price, children are available for in-person 'meetings'," the article continues. The report highlights the role played by the popular social network's algorithms: a test account created by the business daily was "inundated with content that sexualizes children" after clicking on a few such recommendations.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request from AFP. According to the WSJ, the social networking giant acknowledged that there were problems within its security services and said it had created a "task force" to solve the problem. Last March, pension and investment funds filed a complaint against Meta for having “turned a blind eye” to human trafficking and pedocrime on its platforms. Instagram is also regularly accused by associations and authorities of not sufficiently protecting children against the risks of harassment, addiction and self-image problems.