South Africa looks at hotlines to beat internet child porn

Internet service providers in South Africa are looking at setting up toll-free hotlines to encourage the public to nail South Africans who participate in child porn news groups.

This was the word from M-Web and Telkom, which owns and operates SAIX - the South African Internet Exchange, the backbone for much of the country's internet traffic.

Statements from both follow disclosures last week that "massive" child porn was available on email news groups.

The news groups are available free to internet users via their Internet service provider.

They consist of a collection of people who share information and pictures of particular interest to them - and, in some cases, child porn.

The groups are available to South African internet users in spite of repeated complaints by the Durban-based forum South Africans Against Child Pornography - a body representing police and welfare workers.

Telkom, which bore the brunt of the criticism, said it would look into setting up a hotline for the speedy reporting of offensive news groups.

Telkom spokesperson Andrew Weldrick said the parastatal would make contact with the forum and propose the establishment of hotlines to the Internet Service Providers Association for consideration.

M-Web's legal adviser, Myron Zlotnick, said all endeavours to combat illegal online activity, especially child pornography, were supported.

Among the solutions to beat child porn were toll-free hotlines, he said.

After the Tribune's story, Democratic Alliance MP Sandy Kalyan said internet service providers had to show a commitment to protecting the rights of children. She suggested establishing toll-free hotlines.

Initiating a campaign to finally rid the internet of child pornography would be a fitting tribute to South African children, said Kalyan in national child protection week.

- INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS (SOUTH AFRICA)