AI system could trace encrypted child abuse

Child abusers using encryption to share images or groom victims could be caught through AI technology backed by GCHQ.

Experts from the agency and the National Cyber Security Centre have identified ways to detect paedophiles grooming children or sharing child abuse images even if Facebook and Instagram go ahead with end-to-end encryption of all their messages.

Systems known as “client-side scanning” would operate on potential victims’ devices to detect suspicious images. The proposals aim to answer concerns from police that their access to abusers’ communications could be lost if encryption is introduced.