Microsoft has teamed up with a UK child protection
agency to make it easier for users of its Windows Live Messenger
and MSN Messenger to report suspected child abuse.
The software giant’s partnership with the Child Exploitation and
Online Protection Centre (CEOP) – an organisation set up to tackle
child sexual abuse – has resulted in the creation of a new
Messenger tab, featuring a “report abuse” icon.
Clicking the icon links UK Messenger users directly to online
police services, allowing them to report any suspicious or
inappropriate sexual behaviour they encounter while chatting
online.
The partnership will also see CEOP and Microsoft offer a weekly
online safety tip advising users on how to stay safe while
online.
CEOP chief executive Jim Gamble said, “Behind the report abuse
button will sit police and intelligence officers who have been
specially trained to tackle child sex abuse. We will tell you how
to capture information and how to seize online discussions and then
proactively do all we can to track down the perpetrator.”
Carrie Bogner, senior director for citizenship at Microsoft
Windows Live, said, “We take the safety and security of young
people online very seriously. People can already control who they
do and don’t allow onto their Messenger buddy list – the new CEOP
tab launched today is another safety feature that will make Windows
Live and MSN Messenger safer still.”
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