Meta introduces tool to block nude images in teens' private messages

Meta plans to provide a new safety mechanism that will prevent kids from sending and receiving nude photos, even in encrypted chats later this year.

Adults on Facebook and Instagram may also be able to use the tool, which is probably optional, according to BBC.

It comes after the government and police criticised Meta for encrypting Messenger conversations by default.

They claim that the firm's ability to identify child abuse will be hampered by encryption.

Meta claims that the new function is only intended to shield users—under-13s are not permitted to use its platforms—especially women and teenagers, from receiving or being coerced into sharing nude photos.

It also revealed that messages from strangers on Instagram and Messenger would by default not be accessible to kids.

Police chiefs claimed earlier this month that minors emailing pictures of themselves in their pants was a factor in the increase in child sexual offences in England and Wales.

Additionally, court records recently made public as part of a US lawsuit against Meta claim that the firm has evidence that 100,000 underage Facebook and Instagram users are subjected to daily online sexual harassment. Meta claims that its work has been misrepresented in the case.

However, the internet giant unveiled a new feature on Thursday that would help shield minors from offensive imagery in their communications.

More information on this system's functionality in encrypted chats will be made public later this year.

Government, law enforcement, and prominent children's organisations have strongly denounced Meta's recent decision to impose end-to-end encryption (e2ee) as a default security measure for Facebook Messenger discussions.

Critics claim that because E2ee only allows the sender and recipient to see communications, Meta is unable to identify and report any content that may contain child abuse.

Other messaging apps that utilise this technology and have steadfastly defended it include Apple's iMessage, Signal, and the Meta-owned WhatsApp.