Balancing Privacy and Protection: ICMEC Australia’s Colm Gannon Discusses Tech, Governance, and Child Safety

On the latest episode of ID Talk, Colm Gannon, CEO of ICMEC Australia, joins the pod to explore how technology and governance intersect in the fight against child exploitation. Gannon highlights the importance of deploying advanced tools like facial recognition and AI with proper oversight, warning that while these technologies can be vital in identifying victims of child sexual abuse, they must be used within frameworks that respect privacy and ensure accountability. “Technology is not bad,” Gannon explains. “But what we need to do is have governance over the use of that technology.”

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the controversial use of Clearview AI by law enforcement agencies. While acknowledging the tool’s effectiveness in helping identify victims, Gannon underscores the risks that arise when governance structures are lacking. “The tool has benefits…but we need to ensure that the rights of victims are protected both during and after the investigation,” he says. He highlights concerns raised by European supervisory authorities, particularly regarding data privacy when victim images are processed outside the jurisdiction. Without clear oversight, Colm cautions, law enforcement could inadvertently expose sensitive information to third parties beyond governmental control.

Gannon also critiques how privacy regulations, intended to protect individuals, can sometimes shield perpetrators instead of victims. “Privacy regulations, in some instances, are protecting criminal enterprises instead of the victims of child exploitation,” he asserts. This issue, he explains, arises when organizations are prohibited from sharing information that could aid in identifying and stopping offenders. While governments are working to improve information-sharing protocols, Gannon stresses that legislative changes need to move faster to match the pace of technological advancement.

Throughout the conversation, Gannon calls for practical solutions, such as developing on-premise tools that law enforcement can use without sending data across borders, stressing the “gold standard” of “having on-premise tools within a country’s jurisdiction, ensuring privacy and quick response.” At the same time, he urges policymakers to clarify regulations like the EU’s AI Act to reduce ambiguity and support law enforcement’s ability to respond to escalating cases of online exploitation.

It’s an insightful conversation on an extremely important topic, coming at a time of ongoing debate about the proper role of facial recognition in the law enforcement arsenal. Listen to the full episode via the media player below, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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March 5, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team