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> I also predict we'll be shocked to discover just how big the market and distribution network for child abuse online is, and how many people are involved. I d

> I also predict we'll be shocked to discover just how big the market and distribution network for child abuse online is, and how many people are involved. I don't think it is big compared to what authoritarian states would like to use this for. You're talking about, at the very least, putting everyone in non-democratic states under even more pressure to obey than they're already under. And in democratic states this invites bad actors both in and outside the government. There is no net-gain in justice here. It's wrong across the board. Welcome back to HN after taking 5 months off, btw. You're a SSC fan?

red_admiral 5y ago
Thanks! Yes, I agree the state market is even bigger - China's potential market for surveillance alone is 1.3 billion and rising - but I've heard from colleagues in tech who seriously think child abuse is only a very small number of bad actors. My understanding is the "industry" is almost as out of control as the illegal drugs trade. I am indeed a SSC/ACX fan (and subscriber).
- croutonwagon 5y ago
  I am just going to say....That little blurb about SSC/ACX kinda caught my eye. I had/have never heard of this persons blog. And now I am down a rabbit hole. Probably for a while. But thanks for that. Seems like the world needs more thinkers like this person, and everyone, including myself could learn a lot from them.
  - red_admiral 5y ago
    Telling an engineer about SSC for the first time could almost be considered a denial-of-service attack, or at least nerd-sniping :) Glad you're enjoying it!
- unityByFreedom 5y ago
  I don't think any amount of child abuse can be considered "small" on its own given the lifetime impact it has. However, it is small compared to putting eyes inside the whole world's devices. Context is everything with this kind of comment. Without context it will sound uninformed and heartless.

red_admiral 5y ago

Thanks! Yes, I agree the state market is even bigger - China's potential market for surveillance alone is 1.3 billion and rising - but I've heard from colleagues in tech who seriously think child abuse is only a very small number of bad actors. My understanding is the "industry" is almost as out of control as the illegal drugs trade. I am indeed a SSC/ACX fan (and subscriber).

croutonwagon 5y ago
I am just going to say....That little blurb about SSC/ACX kinda caught my eye. I had/have never heard of this persons blog. And now I am down a rabbit hole. Probably for a while. But thanks for that. Seems like the world needs more thinkers like this person, and everyone, including myself could learn a lot from them.
- red_admiral 5y ago
  Telling an engineer about SSC for the first time could almost be considered a denial-of-service attack, or at least nerd-sniping :) Glad you're enjoying it!
unityByFreedom 5y ago
I don't think any amount of child abuse can be considered "small" on its own given the lifetime impact it has. However, it is small compared to putting eyes inside the whole world's devices. Context is everything with this kind of comment. Without context it will sound uninformed and heartless.