Twitter 'failing' on child protection, says watchdog

Twitter has been criticised over its child protection policies by an internet watchdog.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) warned that the social networking site's security measures are lagging behind its counterparts.

Ceop urged Twitter to investigate reports that paedophiles are using its service to discuss abuse and link to inappropriate content.

"They are a little bit behind some other sites that have been around a little bit longer," said Ceop chief executive Peter Davies.

"These people who have an unhealthy interest in child abuse images occupy a lot of different space on the internet - while they are allowed to be in that space. I think that's got to be wrong."

Facebook and Bebo have worked with Ceop to introduce 'panic buttons' to their websites, enabling users to report suspected abuse with a single click. Twitter has a dedicated channel for reporting inappropriate content, but subscribers must search the site for an email address.

Twitter said in response to the report that safety is one of its top priorities, adding that it takes swift action against reports of inappropriate behaviour, BBC News reports.

"When we receive a report and identify it as valid, we take action immediately," said Del Harvey, Twitter's director of trust and safety. "Accounts being reported may be the subject of law enforcement investigations.

"In those instances, while the profiles are certainly disturbing, removing them immediately can actually harm the cases that law enforcement may be attempting to build."

Twitter assured users that a dedicated team will be set up within the coming month to handle such reports 24 hours a day.

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