Fighting Online Child Sexual Exploitation with VPN and Proxy Detection

This document is a technical report that discusses the challenges and solutions related to online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) facilitated by anonymization technologies such as VPNs and proxies. It outlines the increasing use of these tools by internet users for privacy, which inadvertently aids offenders in evading law enforcement. The report presents alarming statistics, including a 64% rise in child sexual abuse material (CSAM) hosting and a significant increase in OCSE-related suspicious activity reports. It details how offenders exploit anonymizing technologies to distribute CSAM and highlights the necessity for collaboration among nonprofits, technology providers, and law enforcement to combat this issue. The report also emphasizes the role of technical solutions, such as GeoComply's VPN and proxy detection tools, in enhancing data available for investigations and improving the effectiveness of organizations fighting against child exploitation. The document concludes by advocating for the implementation of these technologies to create a safer online environment for children.