Australia’s online safety regulator has accused major technology companies of failing to do enough to prevent online sexual extortion, warning that significant gaps remain despite the availability of technologies that could better protect users.
The latest transparency report from the eSafety Commissioner found several major platforms have not fully implemented measures to detect and disrupt sexual extortion, child sexual exploitation and other forms of online abuse. The findings come as reports of sexual extortion continue to rise, particularly among young Australians.
Sexual extortion complaints continue to grow
Online sexual extortion is a form of blackmail in which offenders coerce victims into sharing intimate images before threatening to distribute them unless money or further material is provided.
Between 1 July and 31 December 2025, eSafety received more than 2,000 reports of sexual extortion, with young men aged 18 to 24 identified as the most affected group.
Separate research by eSafety and the Australian Institute of Criminology also found that more than one in 10 Australians aged 16 to 18 had experienced sexual extortion. Of those victims, nearly 58% were first targeted before turning 16.
The regulator said investigators are also seeing younger teenagers increasingly targeted. When children are involved, sexual extortion becomes a form of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Report identifies gaps across major platforms
The report assessed how Apple, Discord, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Snap, and WhatsApp are meeting Australia’s Basic Online Safety Expectations.
While some companies have introduced new safety measures, the report identified several ongoing weaknesses.
These include inconsistent use of language analysis tools capable of detecting coercive messages commonly used by offenders, as well as shortcomings in user reporting systems. Some services still lack simple, dedicated ways for users to report sexual extortion or child sexual abuse.
The report also found that private messaging services and video platforms remain particularly challenging environments for detecting abuse, despite being common channels for sexual extortion and livestreamed child sexual abuse.
Existing technology is not being fully used
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said many of the technologies needed to better protect users already exist but are not being consistently deployed.
“We’re deeply concerned about the devastating impacts of sexual extortion, which not only target vulnerable individuals but also have profound psychological and emotional consequences for victims and their families,” she said.
Inman Grant said eSafety had repeatedly provided platforms with evidence showing how offenders exploit their services and had recommended practical steps to reduce the harm.
“This report shows that platforms could and should be doing a lot more to prevent these harms, and there are simple steps they can take today to protect users.”
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The commissioner said investigators continue to observe the same criminal methods, scripts, and images being used across multiple cases, creating opportunities for platforms to improve automated detection.
Some progress, but major weaknesses remain
The report acknowledged improvements by several companies following previous rounds of reporting.
Google and Snap have expanded proactive detection of known child sexual exploitation and abuse material. Meta has introduced additional tools to identify grooming behaviour, and Discord has begun blocking links to known child sexual abuse material.
However, significant gaps remain. Microsoft is currently the only provider identified as using proactive technology to detect livestreamed child sexual abuse during video calls.
Several companies also continue to rely primarily on detecting previously known abuse material, rather than technologies capable of identifying newly created images and videos.
According to eSafety, these weaknesses have been highlighted repeatedly across successive reporting periods.
Pressure grows for stronger platform accountability
The report comes as eSafety expands its public awareness efforts, including a recent campaign aimed at educating young men about sexual extortion scams, how offenders operate, and where victims can seek help.
While education remains an important part of prevention, the commissioner said responsibility also rests with technology companies to strengthen safeguards across their platforms.
“A comprehensive, multilayered approach is essential—combining proactive detection tools, strong and accessible reporting systems, and ongoing innovation to address these issues.”
As online abuse continues to evolve, the findings reinforce growing pressure on technology companies to treat online safety as a core responsibility rather than a reactive moderation challenge.
For governments, regulators, and the not-for-profit sector, preventing online sexual extortion will require stronger collaboration between platforms, law enforcement, educators, and community organisations to better protect young people in increasingly digital environments.
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