WASHINGTON, DC (February 8, 2023) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) commended Google for its decision to automatically blur explicit images in search results – a request that NCOSE has been making to Google since 2013.
Google Search was named to the 2022 Dirty Dozen List of mainstream contributors to sexual exploitation because searches have facilitated access to real and depicted content of sexual abuse, including graphic videos of sex trafficking, rape, child sexual abuse, and nonconsensual content, as well as illegal and socially damaging-themed content.
“Google’s decision to blur and hide images with sexually explicit content by default is a tremendous step forward in protecting children online. Children could easily stumble onto sexually explicit images even by typing an innocent search term into Google. Now there is one more level of protection. All tech companies should proactively blur sexually explicit content by default, including content being sent through direct messages, emails, and other avenues,” said Lina Nealon, vice president of corporate advocacy for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
“Google’s new policy will also benefit victims and survivors of sexual exploitation, whose assaults and sexual abuse that were recorded and uploaded online could turn up in a Google search.
“We are thrilled that Google has taken this positive step forward to help create a safer internet.”
About National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
Founded in 1962, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading national non-partisan organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health harms of pornography.
