Using Intelligence & Operations to Eradicate CSAM
Target Acquired: Protect Children at All Costs
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is not a theory. It is not a fringe problem. It is the documented, criminal abuse of children, and it exists in staggering volumes across the internet.
Every image or video is a crime scene—and often, a child still waiting for justice. In 2022 alone, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received over 32 million CSAM reports through its CyberTipline. Yet despite its illegality, CSAM continues to circulate due to one glaring national failure:
The United States does not require tech platforms to proactively detect CSAM.
This page outlines a practical, actionable strategy for law enforcement, technologists, policymakers, and citizens to use intelligence and operations to eradicate CSAM from the internet.
What Is CSAM?
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is any content that depicts a minor (under age 18) in sexually explicit conduct. This includes:
- Images
- Videos
- Audio recordings
- Animated content or drawings
Unlike other areas of exploitation, CSAM is already 100% illegal. There are no grey areas. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 2256) classifies the possession, distribution, or creation of CSAM as a felony offense.
Legal Requirements & Gaps
18 U.S.C. § 2258A requires service providers to:
- Report apparent CSAM to NCMEC immediately
- Preserve related data for up to 90 days
The REPORT Act strengthens penalties for noncompliance—up to $1 million per incident. But there is still no legal requirement to proactively detect CSAM.
This means:
- Platforms aren’t required to look for CSAM.
- Many choose not to, fearing liability.
- Illegal abuse material is left online, unchecked.
Why Existing Efforts Are Falling Short
Many anti-trafficking efforts and organizations misplace their focus:
- Conflating adult content with CSAM dilutes resources and distracts from stopping actual crimes.
- Overfocus on pornography ignores the pressing, solvable problem of illegal material already harming children.
- Lack of tech mandates means most platforms don't scan uploads against known CSAM hash databases.
How Intelligence Can Bridge the Gap
Organizations like Skull Games, Digital Defenders United, and others already use OSINT, behavioral analysis, and data pattern recognition to fight exploitation.
Here’s how that same methodology can be redirected to identify and eradicate CSAM.
Tactical Action Plan:
1. Pattern Recognition
- Track usernames, file naming patterns, emojis, keywords, and dark web slang used in CSAM trades.
2. Hash-Based Detection
- Use trusted hash-matching tech:
- PhotoDNA (Microsoft)
- CSAI Match (YouTube)
- Safer (Thorn)
- Offlimits/Instant Image Identifier (EU)
- NCMEC Hash Sharing
3. Crowdsourced & AI Intel
- Create anonymous tip portals for OSINT experts and ethical hackers.
- Apply AI for keyword/text/image analysis on flagged behavior.
4. Workflow & Reporting
- Develop SOPs for:
- Documenting
- Validating
- Submitting leads to NCMEC or ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children)
5. Federal Collaboration
- HERO Program (DHS)
- FBI Innocent Images Task Force
- State & Local ICAC Task Forces
What Success Looks Like
A functional national model would include:
- All platforms scanning uploads against CSAM hash databases
- Mandatory reporting of all suspected material
- Permanent bans for offending accounts
- Criminal referrals and law enforcement follow-up
Tools & Resources
Detection & Moderation Tech:
- PhotoDNA (Microsoft)
- CSAI Match (Google/YouTube)
- Thorn Safer
- Offlimits Instant Image Identifier
- Aylo Safeguard
- Vobile MediaWise
Legal Framework:
- 18 U.S.C. § 2256 (Definition of CSAM)
- 18 U.S.C. § 2258A (Mandatory Reporting)
- REPORT Act (Penalties for Noncompliance)
Trusted Partners:
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces
Legislative Recommendation Kit
Coming Soon: A full legislative toolkit with templates, policy recommendations, and agency outreach guidance.
Highlights include:
- Proactive detection mandates (hash scanning for all platforms)
- Annual transparency reporting from platforms
- Grant funding and tax incentives for compliance
- Digital Safety Certification (incentivized public badge of compliance)
CSAM must be the first domino to fall.
We don’t need new laws to start fixing the problem. We need to enforce the laws we already have, apply the technology that already exists, and create a culture of zero tolerance for child abuse material.
If you’re in law enforcement, the tech sector, or government—or simply a citizen who cares:
This is your fight. Let’s end the circulation of CSAM. Together.
Contact Digital Defenders United to collaborate or request support.