Canada hints at penalties for internet firms that allow child exploitation

Internet companies that do not actively combat the online exploitation of children should face financial consequences, Canada’s public safety minister hinted after announcing an increase in police funding to fight it.

“If a child is terrorised for the rest of their life because of what happened to them on the internet, if there are other damages and costs, then maybe the platform that made that possible should bear the financial consequences,” Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told reporters.

In Canada, police reported incidents of child pornography have increased by 288% between 2010 and 2017, Goodale said, adding it is a global issue. “We know this type of crime is notoriously underreported.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government pledged C$22 million ($16.57 million) in its 2019 federal budget to combat child exploitation online.

Via Reuters  / Toronto Star

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