In recent times, concerns have been growing worldwide about the misuse of end-to-end encrypted messaging apps for illegal activities, including child abuse and exploitation. Governments, including the British government, have been vocal about these concerns, prompting tech companies to re-evaluate their policies and practices. In response to these and in alignment with our commitment to ensuring a safer online environment for everyone, we are announcing a new policy: we will be denying access to Pryvate Messenger for individuals under the age of 18.
Why the Concerns?
End-to-end encryption has long been hailed as a champion of privacy and security in the digital age. It ensures that only the sender and receiver can access the content of their messages, making it nearly impossible for third parties to intercept or decipher the information. While this is crucial for protecting our privacy, it also creates a dilemma when it comes to illegal activities taking place behind closed digital doors.
Child abuse and exploitation are grave concerns for societies across the globe. These activities, unfortunately, have found refuge in the darkest corners of the internet, including encrypted messaging apps. Criminals exploit the anonymity and secrecy offered by these platforms to share illegal content, coordinate activities, and escape the reach of law enforcement agencies. This has led governments to raise legitimate concerns about how to balance the need for privacy with the imperative of child safety.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
At Pryvate Messenger, we take these concerns seriously. Our commitment to providing a secure and private communication platform does not come at the cost of turning a blind eye to the potential for misuse. We believe that technology companies must be responsible corporate citizens and work collaboratively with governments to address these pressing issues. Therefore, in an effort to support child safety and comply with regulatory requests, we have made the difficult decision to deny access to Pryvate Messenger for individuals under the age of 18. While this might inconvenience some users, it is a necessary step to strike a balance
between privacy and safety.
What This Means for Pryvate Messenger Users
Starting 20th September 2023 , Pryvate Messenger will implement age verification processes to ensure that only users above the age of 18 can access the platform. This means that if you are under 18 years old, you will no longer be able to use Pryvate Messenger. We understand that some younger users may have legitimate reasons for using our platform, such as staying in touch with family and friends, but the safety and well-being of children must come first. For parents and guardians, we recommend discussing alternative messaging options that are specifically designed for younger users and include built-in safety features to protect children from exposure to inappropriate content.
Conclusion
The decision to deny access to Pryvate Messenger for under 18s is difficult but necessary step in addressing the concerns raised by governments worldwide regarding the misuse of encrypted messaging apps for child abuse and exploitation. Our commitment to privacy remains unwavering, but we also acknowledge the importance of working together to ensure a safer online environment for all. We believe that this decision strikes a reasonable balance between privacy and child safety, and we are dedicated to continuing our efforts to support the responsible and ethical use of technology. We appreciate the support of our users and the broader community as we take this important step towards a safer digital future for all.
