Commtouch partners with IWF and Image Analyzer to fight online child abuse images
Both alliances enable Commtouch licensing partners to offer compliance-related features to their customer base.
* Commtouch Anti-Spam licensing partners can subscribe to have their email-streams cross-referenced with the IWF child sexual abuse URL list to help prevent the distribution of illegal content in emails, together with their ongoing spam classification.
* Commtouch partners can utilize Image Analyzer software in conjunction with the Anti-Spam solution to eliminate traffic containing pornographic images.
“In addition to the moral imperative to eradicate online child abuse images, enterprises face a serious threat from pornography, due to both the legal risk and the fact that it can be a severe resource drain,” said Commtouch CEO Gideon Mantel. “We are committed to working with both IWF and Image Analyzer to eradicate online exploitation, while assisting enterprises to enhance their compliance with sexual harassment and other legal statutes. Several of our partners have already begun offering these special protections in their security products.”
“Illegal online content is a worldwide problem and global cooperation is vital to combating this abuse.” explains Peter Robbins, IWF CEO. “We are very pleased to welcome Commtouch to join our self-regulatory approach to fighting this insidious crime.”
The IWF is the only authorized organization in the UK operating an internet ‘hotline’ for the public and IT professionals to report their exposure to potentially illegal content online. Its aim is to minimize the availability of potentially illegal internet content, specifically:
* child abuse images hosted anywhere in the world
* criminally obscene content hosted in the UK
* incitement to racial hatred content hosted in the UK
The IWF works in partnership with UK Government departments such as the Home Office and the Department of Trade and Industry to influence initiatives and programs developed to combat online abuse. This dialogue goes beyond the UK and Europe, to ensure greater awareness of global issues and responsibilities.
Since its inception a decade ago, IWF has processed an average of 1,000 reports of abusive online content per month. More than 31,000 websites have been found to contain potentially illegal child abuse content. Commtouch has integrated the IWF list into its real-time Anti-Spam service, allowing all of its OEM partners to offer the anti-child abuse feature to their customers.
“In today’s world, enterprises face potential sexual harassment suits, and even criminal prosecution, if they do not make every practical effort to prevent their employees from accessing or spreading sexual content deemed offensive via the corporate infrastructure,” said Crispin Pikes, CEO of Image Analyzer. “We are pleased to offer to many of Commtouch’s licensees the opportunity to utilize this crucial compliance technology in protecting their customers.”
Image Analyzer provides a detection engine developed for accurate and fast scanning of images using algorithms that uniquely evaluate colors and shapes to categorize images as clean, pornographic or suspect.
Legislation such as the US Federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), EU directive 2000/31/EC and other child protection laws increase the need for compliance solutions. In addition, based on US Title VII, corporations have faced sexual harassment suits by employees who have been exposed to pornographic content at work via their co-workers. To protect themselves from such legal action, companies need to prove that they have taken all reasonably practical measures to avoid the act complained of.
Print version | 
Email to a friend | 
View other articles
Latest IT, computer and network security articles
Google delivers twice the amount of malware than Twitter, Yahoo and Bing combined
Active Dashboards software gives VSG a complete picture of key operational activities
Cloudmark's Cloudfilter protects Digiweb's customers from spam
Imperva partners with NEON to provide database activity monitoring for mainframe users
Lanner releases FW-7535 network application platform for secure network communication applications
Secure data management is the healthcare industry's most pressing issue
...[view more IT, computer and network security articles]...
Other IT, computer and network security Resources
Security websites for specific products:
Access control and RFID systems - Burglar alarm, intruder alarm and fire alarm systems - Biometric recognition and identification systems - CCTV cameras and systems - IT, computer and network security systems - Health and safety - Security guard services - Surveillance and remote monitoring systems
Security websites for specific markets:
Bank and financial security - Corporate security - School and education security - Sport event and live venue security - Healthcare and hospital security - Hotel restaurant and casino security - Industrial and manufacturing security - Infrastructure and Utilities security - Home and personal security - Public sector security - Retail security - Small Business security - Transport security
