State and federal lawmakers are proposing new laws targeting services like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X to prevent sexual exploitation of minors, amid growing concerns over the enforceability of such regulations. Concurrently, investigations reveal that spy cameras, available for purchase on Amazon and eBay, have been implicated in over 9 federal child exploitation cases since 2018. These devices, sometimes advertised with explicit imagery, are being used to surreptitiously film minors. Despite the alarming trend, these spy cameras continue to be sold globally, with some listings using racy images to promote the products. The tech industry and digital rights advocates warn that the efforts to vet users' ages on digital platforms could lead to significant privacy issues due to the extensive collection of personal information.
High social media usage among Latino pre-teens and teenagers is concerning given the correlation between high screen time and poor mental health outcomes for children, writes Gabriel R. Sanchez. https://t.co/DnWgWMEMaH
👉🏻 “Spy Cameras For Sale On Amazon And eBay Are Being Used For Child Exploitation” 🔗 https://t.co/XmsgSIKKEP
Analysis by Cristiano Lima-Strong: Tech industry groups and digital rights advocates have expressed concern that to vet users’ ages and keep off teens, digital platforms will have to collect vast reams of information, raising thorny privacy concerns. https://t.co/gYdo8VTb1y
Despite numerous cases of abuse, spy cameras remain for sale across the world’s biggest online retailers. In some cases, the sellers are explicitly using racy images to sell the surveillance devices. https://t.co/hcFb2Vi8M1
Spy Cams Sold Online Fuel Child Exploitation Cases https://t.co/RiE1GCSBsb
In 9+ federal child exploitation cases since 2018, the US said spy cams, sometimes promoted with racy imagery, sold on Amazon or eBay were used to film minors (@iblametom / Forbes) https://t.co/RO7XVaDLg7 📫 Subscribe: https://t.co/OyWeKSRpIM https://t.co/dwV1Df5NB1
Spy Cameras For Sale On Amazon And eBay Are Being Used For Child Exploitation https://t.co/TLd3ohrQ2r
NEW - Numerous spy cameras bought on Amazon and eBay were used to snoop on children, federal cases show. Impact: I highlighted multiple listings on eBay where spy cams were sold alongside images of couples having sex or semi-nude women, all were removed. https://t.co/9Sm7l1f5Bp
State and federal lawmakers have proposed a variety of new laws aimed at forcing services like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X to shield minors from sexual exploitation. But they may not be enforceable. https://t.co/XXD73lsMbr