Meta announced on Thursday, April 11, the roll-out of a new feature aimed at safeguarding users, particularly young people, from falling victim to financial sextortion.

The proliferation of online communication channels has provided fertile ground for the dissemination of sensitive content, often leading to exploitation and blackmail. Recognising the issue, Meta has embarked on a multipronged approach to enhance user safety and thwart the efforts of potential scammers and criminals.

One of the key initiatives introduced by Meta is the implementation of Nudity Protection in Direct Messages (DMs) on Instagram, which uses advanced machine learning algorithms to identify and blur images containing nudity, shielding recipients from unwanted exposure to explicit content.

Moreover, individuals sending such images will receive prompts encouraging them to exercise caution and providing options to retract their messages.

Recipients will still be able to block senders and report inappropriate behaviour.

Dr Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center at Harvard University, said: “Meta’s new feature handles the exchange of personal nude content in a thoughtful, nuanced, and appropriate way.”

Furthermore, Meta has intensified its crackdown on potential scammers, leveraging technological advancements to detect and deter accounts engaged in sextortion schemes.

John Shehan, senior vice-president of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, commended Meta’s commitment to safeguarding minors, expressing optimism that the proposed safety measures would bolster reporting efforts and mitigate the circulation of exploitative material.

In addition to these proactive measures, Meta has expanded its collaboration with industry partners through initiatives like Lantern, an industry coalition dedicated to combating online child exploitation. By sharing crucial signals and insights, Meta seeks to disrupt sextortion networks and curtail their activities across various online platforms.