Apple and Microsoft do not try to actively catch child abuse material on their platforms, and are among the world's biggest technology companies failing to do their part in combating the sexual exploitation of children online.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A report released by Australia's eSafety commissioner showed that while some companies had systems in place to detect the material, others did not, with the responses to be used to lift safety standards across the sector.
Apple and Microsoft confirmed they don't try to screen for material stored in their services, despite Microsoft having developed PhotoDNA detection technology, used worldwide to detect child sexual abuse images and videos.
The companies also reported that they do not try to stop live-streaming of child abuse in video chats on Skype, Microsoft Teams or FaceTime.
The report revealed major disparities in how quickly companies responded to user reports of child exploitation on their services, ranging from an average time of four minutes from the company that owns Snapchat, to two days for Microsoft .
The revelations were aired following transparency notices issued to the companies by the commission for the first time under bolstered online safety standards in August.
They were sent to companies including Apple, Meta - which owns Facebook and Instagram - WhatsApp, Microsoft and Skype.
A Microsoft spokeswoman said the company had a long-standing commitment to fighting online child sexual exploitation, which was a "horrific crime".
"As threats to children's safety continue to evolve and bad actors become more sophisticated in their tactics, we continue to challenge ourselves to adapt our response and welcome engagement with external stakeholders that can help us improve," she said.
She noted Microsoft's freely available PhotoDNA continued to be the leading tool for detecting such material online.
eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said "sunlight was the best disinfectant" and compelling companies to provide data on their safety measures would create a standard for the industry to follow.
"It is unacceptable that tech giants with long-term knowledge of extensive child sexual exploitation, access to existing technical tools and significant resources are not doing everything they can to stamp this out on their platforms," she said.
"We don't need platitudes, we need to see more meaningful action."
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said her government was committed to protecting Australians online, as well as stamping out child exploitation.
"I expect industry to work co-operatively with the eSafety commissioner to boost protections for Australians online, particularly our most vulnerable," she said.
Australian Associated Press
