Target Darknet in fight against child pornography - Dalli

The European Commission must address the illegal online sites found on the Darknet if it seriously wants to combat child pornography on the internet, Labour MEP Miriam Dalli said.

Addressing a debate on child pornography held at the European Parliament, Dalli said the European Commission needed to update its 2011 Directive to reflect technological advancements.

"The European Union needs to consider the rapid developments of technology, such as the Darknet, which increase the online black market,” she said, explaining that Darknet was accessible through anonymous infrastructures such as Torlink. Child pornography on such clandestine website is on the increase.

Last November the United States of America together with the EU Member States undertook a joint operation against Darknet market places in an operation named ONYMOUS.

“We need to expand these global efforts so that we specifically target child sexual abuse found on these networks,” Dalli said.

Whilst retaliating that limiting law abiding citizen’s freedom and privacy on the Internet was not the solution, Dalli said, "it is our responsibility to protect children and make sure that they lead a peaceful life. It is unacceptable to see children being robbed of their most important value, their innocence”.

Dalli pointed out that sexual abuse of children on the Internet caused re-victimization: “Once a photo or a video is online, it remains there forever.”