Interpol’s ICSE initiative on child sex abuse, now joined by the CBI

Interpol’s ICSE initiative on child sex abuse, now joined by the CBI

Subject: IR

Context:

Context: India’s Central Bureau of Investigation has joined the Interpol’s International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) initiative that will allow it to collaborate with investigators in other countries for detecting child sex abuse online and identifying abusers, victims, and crime scenes from audio-visual clips using specialized software.

What is the ICSE database that the CBI has joined?

The ICSE database uses video and image comparison to analyse Child Sex Exploitation Material (CSEM) and make connections between victims, abusers and places

The database avoids duplication of effort and saves precious time by letting investigators know whether a series of images has already been discovered or identified in another country, or whether it has similar features to other images

Using the image and video comparison software, the investigators attempt to identify locations of markers visible in a piece of media. This can be through the signage nearby, the kind of artwork, photos on a wall, etc.

Concept:

What is Interpol?

Interpol is the world’s largest international police organization with 195 member countries

It is headquartered in Lyon, France

Each member country hosts an Interpol National Central Bureau that connects their national law enforcement to it

In India, the CBI is the nodal agency.

Central Bureau Investigation (CBI):

It is the premier investigating agency of India.

It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

The legal powers of investigation of the CBI are derived from the DSPE Act 1946, which confers powers, duties, privileges and liabilities on the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI)

CBI is exempted from the provisions of the Right to Information Act

CBI is India’s officially designated single point of contact for liaison with the Interpol