Google said it had proposed directly providing Indian authorities with relevant information on online child sexual abuse material (CSAM), marking a shift from the longstanding system under which such reports are first routed through a US-based non-profit before reaching law enforcement agencies in other countries.
The company said it was in discussions with the Government of India to operationalise the sharing of information with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). “Google is deeply committed to fighting CSAM online and preventing its platforms from being used to create, store or distribute such material,” a Google spokesperson said, adding that the company invests significantly in detecting, removing and reporting such content.
Direct reporting route
For years, Google and other major technology companies have reported suspected CSAM to the US-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC receives reports from online platforms through its CyberTipline and subsequently forwards relevant information to law enforcement agencies in the countries concerned.
Under the proposed arrangement, information concerning cases in India could also reach I4C directly, potentially reducing the time taken for local authorities to receive reports and initiate action.
The development followed discussions between the government and technology companies over the reporting mechanism. Indian officials have raised concerns that routing reports through an overseas intermediary can cause delays, particularly in cases where a child may face an immediate threat.
“As part of our ongoing discussions with the Government of India, we have respectfully proposed to operationalize the provision of relevant information to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in cases related to child sexual abuse material,” the Google spokesperson said.
Push for faster action
The move comes amid a broader push by Indian authorities for faster reporting of suspected online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The issue assumes significance given the size of the user base of major digital platforms in India and the volume of content uploaded and exchanged through online services. Faster transmission of actionable information could allow investigating agencies to identify victims, trace suspects and intervene in cases requiring urgent attention.
The proposed direct-reporting mechanism would not necessarily replace the companies’ existing international reporting obligations but would create an additional route for relevant information to reach Indian authorities.
NCMEC’s CyberTipline received more than 21.3 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation from around the world in 2025, illustrating the scale of the challenge faced by online platforms and law enforcement agencies.