Can Law Enforcement Track Internet Activity Related to Child Pornography?

Many computer users think they are invisible when behind a screen. They think they can download what they want, view sexually explicit material, and post scathing messages on forums without anyone knowing.

They could not be any more wrong. Today’s technology has made it possible to do so much online. There are so many tools that internet providers, technology companies, and law enforcement officials use to track internet activity, especially illegal activities such as downloading child pornography.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) operates a cyber tipline that it shares with law enforcement. On top of that, companies such as Google and Meta are required by federal law to report violations of child porn, such as the downloading of sexually explicit images of children. Here are some other ways in which law enforcement can track your internet activity and see if you are violating child porn statutes.

IP Address Tracking

Most online activity leaves behind a record called an IP address, which is a unique number assigned to a device connected to the internet. When someone accesses a website or downloads a file, the IP address may be logged. Investigators can obtain these logs and then issue subpoenas or warrants to internet service providers to determine which customer was using that IP address at a specific time.

Monitoring Peer-to-Peer Networks

Investigators often monitor peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks, where illegal images or videos may be distributed. Specialized software allows law enforcement to identify users who are offering known illegal files for download. Once a suspect IP address is identified, officers may download a small portion of the file to confirm its contents before pursuing a warrant.

Use of Special Software

Microsoft has created software called PhotoDNA for law enforcement to use. It is primarily used to combat child exploitation by allowing services like Facebook and Microsoft to scan user-uploaded content against a database of known illegal imagery. It works by converting images to grayscale, dividing them into a grid, and quantifying shading to create a hash. It can identify modified, resized, or re-colored versions of known illegal images.

Undercover Investigations

Law enforcement may also conduct undercover operations in chat rooms, messaging apps, or dark-web forums where illegal material is traded. These investigations can help identify networks of offenders and gather evidence of distribution or solicitation.

Contact Us Today

Many people think that nobody can see what they are doing on a computer. They are wrong. Your every move on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone can be tracked by your company and even law enforcement.

If you are viewing or downloading child porn, law enforcement can tell. You can face serious charges, so protect yourself with help from a South Jersey child pornography lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher St. John. We will investigate the alleged offense and protect your legal rights along the way. To schedule a consultation, contact us via (856) 716-5427 or online here.