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The Effect of a CSAM Deterrence Messaging Chatbot on Pornhub
Thu, September 4, 8:00 to 9:15am, Deree | Auditorium, Floor: 6, 6th Level AuditoriumAbstract
The proliferation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on mainstream adult websites presents serious concerns regarding the accessibility of the content, and its normalisation for potential new users. To address this issue, the reThink chatbot was devised and implemented in a collaborative effort between the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), the Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF), and Aylo (the owner of Pornhub). The chatbot was deployed on Pornhub in the United Kingdom (UK) starting from March 2022. The reThink chatbot was integrated into an existing warning message page launched in March 2021, targeting users searching for CSAM on Pornhub within the UK. The chatbot directed users to the Stop It Now! support service provided by LFF. Evaluation data spanning from July 2021 to September 2023 was collected to assess the chatbot's deterrence effect on searches occurring on Pornhub, the content and number of chatbot interactions, and the number of referrals to support services. Over the 19-month evaluation period, the proportion of daily user searches that triggered a warning message was between 0.05%-0.12% of all users on the Pornhub site in the UK. In total, the chatbot was displayed 2.8 million times, resulting in 1,656 information requests, 490 website click-throughs, and 68 contacts to the Stop It Now! helpline. Statistical analysis revealed a significant decline in CSAM searches on Pornhub in the UK following the deployment of the chatbot. The findings underscore the deterrence effect of the warning message and chatbot, highlighting the efficacy of situational crime prevention strategies in mitigating CSAM within mainstream pornography contexts. This case study demonstrates the potential of collaborative initiatives leveraging technology to combat online sexual exploitation of children.