Video streaming continues to grow

  • Cisco predicted that the vast majority of online traffic would be video driven by 2020 and it looks like they were right.  That said no one could have foreseen the surge driven by Covid-19 and Lockdown. 
  • Snapchat has seen a recent 20% jump in daily users, they are not alone. 
  • The Digital 2020 April Global Statshot Report highlights big jumps in digital activity, especially in the countries that have seen the strictest lockdowns.

Facebook ‘Messenger Rooms’ to join the party

  • Facebook is now competing for a share in the surge for video and live streaming platforms with the release of their new Messenger Rooms.  
  • Set to be rolled out globally in the coming weeks, Facebook’s Messenger Rooms will allow users to chat with up to 50 others. ‘Rooms’ will also have features like 360º augmented reality backgrounds.  
  • Facebook is no stranger to the risks posed to young users and have said they have worked with cryptographers to prevent unwanted guests from dropping in. The Director of Product for Messenger said that preventing the so-called ‘Zoombombing’ type of issues was ‘top of mind’ for the platform. 

Zoombombing & Child Sex Abuse Material

  • Following last week’s so-called ‘Zoombombing’ of a university session that saw ‘child abuse material’ broadcast into the room, Zoom is reportedly accelerating their efforts to strengthen encryption.

The Rise in Online Risks

  • We carried out a national survey of children and young people with our partners at Zurich Municipal during the first two weeks of ‘lockdown’. Young people told us that they are spending more time online, some with fewer restrictions and many with a greater desire to build an audience.
  • This was evidenced by a 17% growth in live streaming by 7 – 17 years olds.
  • The National Crime Agency (NCA) also tells us that there are up to 300,000 people out there with a sexual interest in our children. 
  • The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) tells us that Europe is the ‘hub’ for child sex abuse material (CSAM) with around 90% of known URLs featuring (CSAM) being hosted in the EU.
  • They also suggest that the impact of reduced staffing at tech firms is resulting in fewer child sexual abuse images being removed, highlighting that almost 90% fewer suspicious web addresses have been deleted during the pandemic.

Have you been scammed?

  • As the Coronavirus continues to grip the world, scammers are keeping busy. TSB Bank suggests that 42% of people believe they’ve been targeted by a bogus email since the outbreak.
  • You should forward suspicious emails to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) via [email protected] who will work with City of London Police to investigate. 
  • If you have been a victim of fraud contact  Action Fraud in the usual way. 

Government Advice – We’ve got you covered