Crime Elon Musk Urged to Tackle Child Abuse Content on X

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Desperate pleas have reached Elon Musk as victims of child sexual abuse demand the removal of offensive links from X, his social media platform. "Zora", a pseudonym for a US resident, has urged action against the sharing of child abuse images, which still fuels suffering years after her ordeal began.

 

X insists on a "zero tolerance" stance against child sexual exploitation, and prioritises efforts to eliminate such content. However, a BBC investigation found that traders using X were disseminating images of Zora to further their illicit activities. A connection to a trader in Jakarta, Indonesia, was established, who offered "VIP packages" for sale. This alarming investigation highlights the ongoing difficulties social media platforms face in eradicating abusive material.

 

Zora, who endured abuse at the hands of a family member over two decades ago, expressed anger over the continued circulation of images. She stated, "My body is not a commodity. It has never been, and it never will be." Those distributing such material are deemed directly complicit by Zora as their actions perpetuate the horrors she and others have faced.

 

Despite efforts from platforms like X, the scale of the problem is dauntingly vast. Last year, the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received over 20 million reports of child sexual abuse material. In cooperation with organisations like Anonymous, efforts to report and remove offending accounts continue. Yet, traders quickly re-establish presences, often overseeing multiple accounts designed to evade detection.

 

In its ongoing work, Anonymous highlighted an X account using a child's photo as an avatar. Although the account's bio was not obscene, it indicated the presence of child abuse material. Trades were often facilitated through other apps like Telegram, where further exchanges took place, exploiting vulnerable young victims, reported the BBC.

 

Lloyd Richardson, from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, emphasised the inadequacy of simply removing accounts. Without stringent checks, new accounts perpetuate the cycle of abuse. The BBC’s investigation identified a trader allegedly linked to various accounts, tracked to someone in Jakarta who denied involvement in illegal activities.

 

Social media companies, including X, remain under pressure to enhance detection and prevention measures. Elon Musk, who declared child abuse removal as the top priority upon acquiring X, faces ongoing scrutiny.

 

Telegram, another platform involved in these exchanges, reported banning over 565,000 groups related to child abuse in 2025 alone. Both platforms claim substantial moderation efforts, yet the challenge remains persistent and grave.

 

Addressing Musk directly, Zora implores on behalf of all victims: "If you would act without hesitation to protect your children, I beg you to do the same for the rest of us. The time to act is now." Her plea underscores the urgency for effective action in combatting this pervasive crime.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-08-27