A recent report compiled by SaferNet, a non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for human rights online since 2005, has unveiled a shocking fact: approximately 1.25 million Telegram users are active participants in group chats or channels that facilitate the sale and distribution of images featuring child sexual abuse and pornographic material. Alarmingly, one of these communities alone boasted a staggering 200,000 users at the time the survey was conducted, highlighting the extensive reach of such illicit activities.
Entitled Como o Telegram tem sido usado no Brasil como um espaço de comércio virtual por criminosos sexuais (“How Telegram has been used in Brazil as a virtual trading space by sex offenders”), the report was presented on Wednesday, Oct. 23, to São Paulo prosecutors and the Federal Police. Additionally, it has been forwarded to French authorities, who are conducting investigations into various crimes perpetrated on Telegram. Notably, one such investigation resulted in the arrest of the company’s CEO and founder, Pavel Durov, in France. While he remains free, he is currently barred from leaving the country, raising critical concerns about corporate accountability.
The findings of the report emerged after SaferNet conducted an extensive examination of 874 Telegram links that had been reported by concerned internet users as hosting images of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Following a thorough analysis, they discovered that 149 links remained active and unmonitored by the platform. Moreover, the NGO uncovered an additional 66 links that had never been reported before, further amplifying concerns regarding the prevalence of criminal content on these platforms.
“We carried out a meticulous survey of the reported Telegram group links through our reporting platform, www.denuncie.org.br—SaferNet Brasil’s designated reporting channel—from January 1 to June 30 of this year. Out of the 874 links documented, 141 were still operational during our verification phase which ran from July to September. Among these active links, we identified 41 groups where there was clear evidence not only of distribution of child sexual abuse images but also active buying and selling. This represented a virtual free market for trading child sexual abuse images, encompassing both genuine images—some being self-generated—and others that were produced through artificial intelligence,” stated Thiago Tavares, president of SaferNet Brasil.
In Brazil, the Statute of the Child and Adolescent categorically defines the sale or exhibition of explicit photos and videos involving minors as a criminal act. It further criminalizes the dissemination of these images through any means, as well as the possession of such files. SaferNet asserts that any individual consuming images depicting child sexual violence is effectively complicit in the abuse and exploitation of children.
Cryptocurrencies
Through their investigation, SaferNet also discovered that certain content is distributed by automated bots or exchanged for payments made in cryptocurrencies, creating additional hurdles in identifying perpetrators. “We uncovered bots specifically programmed to generate new images for a fee. For instance, users can upload a photo, and these bots will create either nude or pornographic images in return for a payment. Transactions are executed through instant payment systems like PIX or using various fintech services and payment processors operating across 23 countries,” Tavares elaborated. Among these 23 payment processors partnered with Telegram, SaferNet identified at least five that have been internationally sanctioned yet continue to process payments within Brazil.
According to Tavares, these transactional tools utilized on Telegram illustrate “a blatant violation of Central Bank regulations” and may be exploited for money laundering and terrorist financing on a global scale.
“In our report, we also urge the Prosecution Service not only to inform the Central Bank but also to engage the National Strategy to Combat Money Laundering, which falls under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. We recommend conducting studies and devising strategies to address the regulatory gaps that currently exist in Brazil, aiming to curb these payment methods that finance networks dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents,” he added.
Complaints
Telegram stands out as the messaging app associated with the most complaints recorded by SaferNet. Since 2021, it has consistently ranked among the top ten domains noted for links connected to child pornography that have been reported to the NGO. The platform has faced ongoing backlash for its reluctance to remove Brazilian communities and users engaged in various crimes, including racial discrimination, assaults on democratic values, and the sexual exploitation of vulnerable minors.
“Telegram operates as a shadowy entity on a global scale, boasting 900 million users worldwide. Notably, its operations are managed by merely 35 engineers, reflecting a deliberate choice to maintain a minimal workforce,” Tavares commented.
According to SaferNet, the operational practices of Telegram are at odds with Brazilian law, the Federal Constitution, the Statute of the Child and Adolescent, and fundamental compliance standards crucial for the ethical conduct of any enterprise within any country.
Agência Brasil reached out to Telegram seeking comment, but as of the publication of this report, no response had been received.
Telegram provides users with the option to report criminal content, channels, groups, or messages. This can be accomplished by sending an email to abuse@telegram.org with the subject line “Report user @name.” Users are required to specify the reason for their complaint and must await a response following their submission.
Interview with Thiago Tavares, President of SaferNet Brasil
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Thiago. Your recent report sheds light on a troubling issue regarding child sexual abuse material circulating on Telegram. Could you begin by summarizing the key findings of your report?
Thiago Tavares: Thank you for having me. Our report titled Como o Telegram tem sido usado no Brasil como um espaço de comércio virtual por criminosos sexuais reveals that around 1.25 million Telegram users are active in groups that facilitate the sale and distribution of child sexual abuse images. Notably, one community had 200,000 members, showcasing the scale of this illicit activity. We analyzed 874 reported links and found that many remain unmonitored by Telegram, indicating a serious oversight.
Editor: That’s extremely alarming. What specific actions have you taken in response to these findings?
Thiago Tavares: We presented our report to Sao Paulo prosecutors and the Federal Police and shared our findings with French authorities, who are investigating child exploitation crimes on Telegram. We also emphasized the need for corporate accountability, especially regarding Telegram’s role in letting such content persist and for their handling of payment processing that may violate laws and regulations.
Editor: You mentioned the use of bots for creating and distributing explicit content. Can you elaborate on how this technology is being exploited?
Thiago Tavares: Absolutely. We found bots programmed to generate nude or pornographic images in exchange for fees. Users can simply upload a photo, and for a payment, they get these images back. Transactions often take place in cryptocurrencies, which complicates tracking down the perpetrators. This system is a massive loophole that allows this exploitation to flourish without consequences.
Editor: What kind of legal framework exists in Brazil to combat this issue, and what additional measures do you think are needed?
Thiago Tavares: Brazil has strong laws against child exploitation, including the Statute of the Child and Adolescent, which criminalizes both the sale and distribution of explicit images involving minors. However, enforcement is lacking. We recommend that the Prosecution Service inform the Central Bank about the violations and collaborate with the Ministry of Justice to strengthen our fight against these crimes, particularly in how we address financial transactions tied to this activity.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Thiago. This is a critical issue that requires urgent attention. How can the public aid in combatting this problem?
Thiago Tavares: Awareness is key. We encourage everyone to report any suspicious activity they see on platforms like Telegram through our dedicated reporting channel, www.denuncie.org.br. The more we collectively shed light on these horrors, the greater the pressure on platforms and authorities to take action. Together, we can strive towards a safer digital environment for children everywhere.
Editor: Thank you again, Thiago, for your dedication to this vital cause and for sharing your findings with us today.
What steps do you believe should be taken to improve accountability and curb these criminal activities on Telegram?
Thiago Tavares: Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach. First, we urge the Prosecution Service to communicate with the Central Bank regarding the use of problematic payment methods facilitating these transactions. Additionally, legislative measures should be taken to develop strategies that close regulatory gaps in Brazil, specifically concerning the financial tools aiding these networks. It’s crucial for authorities to safeguard vulnerable children by demanding greater transparency and accountability from platforms like Telegram. Only through collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and tech companies can we effectively tackle this escalating crisis.
Editor: That underscores the gravity of the situation. Have you seen any response or engagement from Telegram regarding your findings?
Thiago Tavares: Unfortunately, we have yet to receive any response from Telegram regarding our report. This lack of communication is concerning, especially since the platform has continuously been implicated in facilitating child exploitation activities and has refused to take decisive action against problematic communities. We hope that by bringing these issues to light, we can prompt stronger efforts towards redemption and compliance from Telegram and similar platforms.
Editor: Thank you, Thiago, for shedding light on this crucial matter. It’s essential that we keep the conversation ongoing about the protection of children online and the responsibilities of technology platforms.
Thiago Tavares: Thank you for having me, and I appreciate your commitment to discussing this important issue.
