Sexual Exploitation

Driving the online protection of children through an Africa-wide partnership

The internet offers enormous opportunity for young people but it can sometimes be misused. To enforce its policy of zero tolerance towards the abuse and sexual exploitation of children, MTN has partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in an Africa-wide initiative to tackle the problem of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Through trusted third-party software platforms, MTN blocks access to URLs hosting IWF-confirmed cases of child sexual abuse material. Given MTN’s significant footprint in Africa, the partnership aims to substantially disrupt the spread of CSAM.

Another important way of preventing the spread of CSAM is giving people the opportunity to report websites that may host such content. Any user of MTN’s network can now safely inform IWF about websites hosting child sexual abuse material, using the confidential reporting portal. IWF will investigate all reports and work with country partner hotlines or international law enforcement agencies to ensure that confirmed cases of child sexual abuse content are removed at source.

MTN is also leveraging its websites, social media channels and other engagement platforms to guide young people on remaining safe online. More information is available on MTN’s website.

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