Apps 'must check images for child abuse before publication'
Internet companies must do more to tackle "an explosion" in images of child sex abuse on their platforms, a UK-held inquiry has concluded.
Data from Action Fraud reveals that £1.6m of the public's money was lost to online charity fraud over the past year.
The fraud captured by this data includes asks for donations for non-existent charities and the fraudulent collection of funds from genuine charities. Action Fraud's data shows that the £1.6m loss to fraud is up by 16% on the figure reported in the previous year.
The call for the public to give safely this Christmas is being co-ordinated by the Fundraising Regulator – the body which oversees charitable fundraising in the UK. It is encouraging the public to take steps to protect themselves online, particularly as the nation approaches the festive period, during which appeals for charitable donations increase.
The campaign is urging members of the public to conduct some simple checks before giving to charity, to make sure their donations reach the intended recipient. This includes:
- Check the charity name and its registration number on the Charity Commission website to find out whether the charity is legitimate.
- Use the Fundraising Regulator's online Directory to find out whether a charity has registered with it and committed to excellent fundraising.
- Look out for the Fundraising Badge on charity marketing materials – when people see it, they can have confidence in charity's fundraising.
- Ask questions about the cause – if people are still unsure about giving, they should always ask for more information. Legitimate causes will be happy to respond.
