Tech giant Google collaborating with a charitable organization to combat unauthorized web images without user permission
In a significant move to combat the spread of nonconsensual images online, Alphabet Inc.'s Google has announced plans to partner with StopNCII, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to preventing the proliferation of such content.
StopNCII's technology allows victims of image-based abuse to create digital fingerprints, or hashes, of intimate images. These hashes are then shared with partner platforms, preventing the reupload of the images without requiring anyone to look at or report them.
Google's partnership with StopNCII marks a significant step towards addressing the issue of nonconsensual image sharing. However, it is important to note that Google has faced criticism for its comparatively slow pace in adapting technology to prevent the spread of such content.
StopNCII launched in late 2021, and early adopters included Facebook and Instagram. TikTok and Bumble joined in December 2022, while Microsoft integrated the system into its Bing search engine in September 2024. Google, despite not yet appearing on StopNCII's official partner list, is currently testing the technology and expects to begin using the hashes "over the next few months."
However, it's worth mentioning that Google has not yet addressed plans to address AI-based nonconsensual imagery, or deepfakes, in its partnership with StopNCII. It's also important to note that StopNCII's technology relies on known images and cannot preemptively block AI-generated deepfakes.
Adam Dodge, founder of advocacy group End Technology-Enabled Abuse, has expressed that Google's move is a step in the right direction but still burdens victims to self-report. The hash created by StopNCII's technology will not trap AI-generated or entirely different images, which remains a concern.
Google has also faced criticism for its policy and practical concerns about the interoperability of the database, as stated by Google to UK lawmakers in April 2024. Since then, Google has taken some steps to reduce and downrank the content in search.
The adoption of hash matching technology would be a significant change that would require Google to evolve its processes and infrastructure. It is hoped that this partnership will lead to a safer online environment for all users.
In conclusion, Google's partnership with StopNCII is a promising step towards combating image-based abuse. While there are still concerns about the effectiveness of the technology in preventing the spread of AI-generated content, it is clear that Google is taking steps in the right direction.
