AI to be used in online child abuse probes

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has signed agreements with international artificial intelligence (AI) organisations to strengthen its ability to detect and investigate online offences against children.

NCCIA Lahore Additional Director Atif Ameer said on Friday that AI-assisted analysis had helped identify a suspect in Gujranwala, leading to his arrest.

He said the agency would not allow illegal call centres to operate in Lahore.

Action against foreign nationals involved in cybercrime would also continue, he said, revealing that 21 foreigners were among 281 suspects arrested in recent raids on illegal call centres.

The official said the NCCIA had arrested three suspects in connection with child sexual abuse content during past week.

He said Hassan Akram had been arrested for sharing objectionable material involving children, Faizan Ahmad of uploading and Ammar of sharing it through online groups.

He said cooperation with AI institutions would help the agency investigate online offences involving children.

The additional director said the NCCIA was also pursuing cases of online harassment, blackmail and the circulation of private photographs and videos. He confirmed the arrest of a suspect from Farooqabad on Thursday night.