Internet perverts ‘committed 8,000 child sex crimes as Facebook dithered to act against abuse’

PERVERTS committed 8,000 online child sex crimes while Facebook delayed tackling abuse, it was claimed yesterday.

Experts pleaded for help from the tech giant but had to wait for three months.
It has blamed an administrative error which led to a 3,000-word response in November not being sent.

APMark Zuckerberg’s company allegedly delayed tackling abuse whilst perverts committed crimes[/caption]

GettyCampaigners fear 24 children are groomed weekly on sites owned by tech giant Meta[/caption]

Campaigners fear 24 children are groomed weekly on sites owned by tech giant Meta.

A global coalition of 60 groups wrote to Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg and senior exec Nick Clegg demanding they publish research on the risk kids face on their sites.

Nobody responded until The Sun on Sunday contacted them this weekend.

NSPCC chiefs accused Meta of being “in denial”.

Their research shows Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are used by offenders in half of grooming crimes where the platform is known.

A woman groomed on Facebook when she was 13 and then abused for years said she was “sickened” by its lack of transparency.

She added: “I want to see Facebook publish their research to show they acknowledge abuse myself and so many other children have faced on their sites.”

NSPCC chief exec Sir Peter Wanless said: “If Meta cannot or will not provide answers about how their platforms contribute to harm, there are serious questions about their corporate responsibility.”

Meta apologised for the delay, adding: “Our letter was originally drafted in November but due to an administrative error on our side it was not sent.

“We have shared more information with researchers and academics than any other platform.”

A Meta spokesman: “We are very sorry for the delay in sending our response.

“Our letter was originally drafted in November but due to an administrative error on our side it was not sent.

“We have no tolerance for child exploitation on our platforms and we continue to work with outside experts and law enforcement to help keep people safe online.

“In addition to making referrals to the authorities we’re focused on preventing harm by banning suspicious profiles and restricting adults from messaging children they’re not connected with.

“We have shared more information with researchers and academics than any other platform and we will find ways to allow external researchers more access to our data in a way that respects people’s privacy.”