Microsoft has rolled out a new Bing feature that will alert users via pop-up message when they are attempting to search for images related to “illegal child abuse.” The warnings, which cross reference queries against a predefined blacklist of child pornography websites, will notify Bing users of the illegal activity and provide a link to counseling according to the BBC.
Microsoft is the first company in the U.K. to impellent such a warning although they might not ultimately be the only ones. Yahoo, which uses Microsoft technology for their search engine, is said to be mulling a similar strategy and a message from Prime Minister David Cameron said Google was also actively engaged in a major campaign to deter people who are searching for these types of photos.
Indeed, Microsoft’s implementation comes just after Cameron’s speech on the topic, threatening to impose new laws against ISPs if they fail to blacklist specific terms related to abusive images by October. Redmond further pointed out they already have a policy in place to remove offending content from search results as soon as possible.
A recent study by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) along with children’s charity NSPCC found that nearly half of the 300+ employees surveyed said they didn’t know how to recognize signs of online sexual abuse of children. Furthermore, roughly two-thirds said they needed more support in the war against online child pornography.
With any luck, Microsoft’s latest move will help to deter individuals from searching for illegal images, at least in the U.K. No word yet if similar actions will be taken by Microsoft (or others) in other regions.
