Urgent Plea to DOJ and DHS to Combat Cryptocurrency Use in Child Sexual Abuse Trade
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bill Cassidy recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security, emphasizing the need for stronger tools to combat the use of cryptocurrency in the illegal trade of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).
The Growing Concern of Cryptocurrency in CSAM Trade
According to Senator Elizabeth Warren, cryptocurrency has increasingly been used in dark web transactions, especially in the exchange of CSAM. The anonymity and efficiency of digital currencies like Bitcoin have made them popular for illicit activities.
- The use of cryptocurrency in CSAM trade has more than doubled every year between 2018 and 2022.
- Reports from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) highlight the challenges in tracing and prosecuting individuals involved in these crimes.
Official Reports and the Call for Legislative Action
Financial watchdogs and analytic firms have raised alarm over the surge in suspicious activities related to child exploitation funded by cryptocurrencies. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) identified over 1,800 unique Bitcoin wallets involved in such offenses.
The Senators express deep concerns about the use of cryptocurrency in child sexual abuse and exploitation, urging for immediate action to address this issue.
Chainalysis, a blockchain analytics firm, has also highlighted the increasing sophistication of CSAM sellers in evading detection.
Queries to DOJ and DHS
Senators Warren and Cassidy have posed critical questions to Attorney General Garland and Secretary Mayorkas regarding the scope of the issue and the effectiveness of current strategies in combating cryptocurrency-enabled child exploitation.
- They seek clarity on the role of cryptocurrency in CSAM operations, the challenges posed by digital currencies, and the need for specialized tools to address this illicit use.
- The Senators advocate for updating legal frameworks and enhancing technological capabilities to tackle this heinous crime effectively.
The DOJ and DHS have acknowledged the use of cryptocurrency as a new avenue for funding criminal conduct, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this growing threat.
Swift Action Required
Senators Warren and Cassidy urge for a prompt response from the concerned departments, requesting detailed answers by May 10, 2024. They emphasize the importance of equipping law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to combat cryptocurrency-enabled child sexual exploitation.
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