E-commerce platform, Shopee, deleted a listing that sells child pornography to Malaysian users. At the same time, the company banned the seller’s account that transacts offensive items.
Understanding Child Pornography
Supposedly, child pornography is a description of a minor engaged in sexual or sexually-related behaviour. It involves images, computer-generated content, and videos, including an image or video modification of a minor.
Keeping and distributing child pornography is a sex crime, both punishable under state and federal laws. This offence usually happens over the Internet or by downloading files containing illegal or malicious images.
Shopee Pulled Out Listing Selling Child Porn to Malaysian Users
Shopee, an e-commerce platform, pulled out a listing apparently selling access to a Telegram group. This circle shares child pornography for only RM39.99.
“We immediately removed this listing from our platform as soon as we became aware of this matter. We have permanently banned the associated seller account, said a Shopee spokesman.
According to the company, it’s analysing its site to safeguard users from such listings. They investigated the involved people and reported the incident to the authorities.
Adil Hidayat emphasised the issue in a post on Pendakwah Teknologi Facebook page, saying another user alerted him about the matter. He made a purchase to check if the claim was accurate so he could notify the police.
He claimed that the seller reached out to him and invited him to a Telegram group, consisting of 35 members. The seller has over 800 followers with 21 listed products and a six-year history on the platform.
Each has a VIP Club profile picture. The group administrator gave him access to other similar groups in the messaging service.
Infuriated, Hidayat tagged the authorities, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. He also notified Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, citing that users are no longer in a safe place.
No Tolerance for Selling Obnoxious Items
Shopee stated its administration of systematised and manual screening procedures to verify and block such listings. But, sellers generally use certain keywords or codes to elude identification.
According to a Shopee spokesman, it’s the company’s commitment to providing all users with a riskless, dependable, and enjoyable shopping experience. He added that they don’t tolerate sellers transacting obscene items on their platform. Moreover, they require their sellers to comply with their policies and the local government’s regulations.
Founded by Forrest Li, Shopee Pte. Ltd., is a Singaporean multinational technology firm, especialising in e-commerce. Launched in 2015 in Singapore, it’s a subsidiary company of Sea Limited, before its worldwide expansion.
Image Credit: TheGreatSG’rean/WikimediaCommons
