Facebook Still Wants Us to Send Nudes In Order to Stop Image-Based Abuse

Facebook is still moving ahead with its controversial Australian trial despite reports to the contrary.

Last year, it was announced that Facebook and the Office of the eSafety Commissioner would be teaming up to stamp out image-based abuse (formerly referred to as "revenge porn") in Australia on the social media platform.

According to Buzzfeed, the trial would involve affected Australian users filling out a form on the eSafety Commissioner's website and then sending the nude photo to themselves on Facebook Messenger. The eSafety Commissioner's office will alert Facebook and an employee of Facebook will review the image, convert it into an unreadable number and feed it into an algorithm that prevents it from being re-uploaded across the site.

Facebook intends to expand this trial into the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

But last week, The Australian reported that the trial was canned after concerns that the public wouldn't feel comfortable sending nudes to Facebook after the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner, however, has confirmed to Buzzfeed News that the trial would still be going ahead and is working with Facebook to fix up any feedback. 

They also said that of the 200 reports of image-based abuse that have been reported since last October, 160 have been resolved, with the final 40 being chased up.

The Facebook trial is expected to go live in Australia later this year.

Are you experiencing domestic and family violence? Seeking to support someone who is? Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. If you would like more information on image-based abuse, visit the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.

Photo: iStock.com/chabybucko