CSAM: WHAT MOBILE APP DEVELOPERS NEED TO KNOW

Children are among the most vulnerable groups of users in the digital space. Governments around the world are developing legal and technical mechanisms to protect minors, particularly in the fight against the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

For mobile app developers, particularly those dealing with user-generated content, it is crucial to address this issue and implement appropriate safeguards.

App stores impose specific requirements not only for technical protection measures but also for content itself (including both user-generated and AI-generated content) to prohibit and combat CSAM.

In addition, Google Play has introduced a Child Safety Standards Policy that applies to apps in the Social and Dating categories and sets stricter requirements for child protection in the context of CSAM prevention.

For example, it requires:

• Published Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) Standards, which prohibit CSAM and outline measures for its detection and removal;
• An in-app reporting mechanism, along with the ability to detect and remove CSAM;
• A designated person responsible for child safety and so on.

We’ve prepared a brief guide highlighting key points and recommendations for combating CSAM for mobile app developers.