Globe starts blocking AI-generated child porn

MANILA, Philippines — Globe Telecom Inc. has started blocking non-photographic imagery (NPI) of child sexual abuse that has tried to breach its network, as it ramps up measures against malicious content, the leading telco said.

NPIs of child sexual abuse are those made using artificial intelligence, computer-generated imagery (CGI), animation, cartoons, drawings and other non-live methods.

From Aug. 27 to Sept. 27 this year – its first month of implementing this measure – Globe blocked 343 URLs and 16 domains containing NPI flagged by its partner Internet Watch Foundation.

Globe said the IWF has been at the forefront of combating NPI, recognizing its potential to cause significant harm to viewers and its illegal status in many jurisdictions.

On its website, the IWF said even accidental viewing of child sexual abuse material, even those made with CGI or cartoons, “can cause lasting damage for the person who stumbled upon it.”

“Globe is committed to creating a safer online environment for everyone, especially children,” said Globe’s chief information security officer and chief AI officer Anton Bonifacio.

“Our intensified efforts to block access to harmful content, including NPI, demonstrate our dedication to protecting children from online sexual exploitation,” he added.

Globe’s initiative to block NPI is part of its long-standing sustainability campaign #MakeITSafePH, which aims to combat online child sexual abuse and exploitation. The company has invested over $2.7 million in advanced content filtering systems to detect and block illegal content.

In the first half of 2024 alone, Globe blocked access to 1,718 domains and 190,167 URLs related to child sexual abuse materials. The company also deactivated 2,726 domains linked to illegal gambling sites. — Elijah Felice Rosales