Latest news with #Sadlier
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Meta shuts down accounts posting sexual content of SA school children
Meta was given until 12pm on Tuesday to shut down all the accounts and channels linked to the distribution of sexual content. Anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp Channels distributing explicit child pornography involving South African school children have been shut down This is according to Meta, which was given until 12pm on Tuesday to shut down all the accounts and channels linked to the distribution of sexual content involving school children and to 'permanently disable the creator of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles listed' from creating any further WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles. Judgment Gauteng High Court Judge Mudunwazi Makamu handed down the judgment in an order sought by Digital Law Company, directed by social media law expert Emma Sadlier, in Johannesburg on Monday. In the urgent ruling, Makamu agreed with the arguments by advocate Ben Winks that children have been victimised by the publication of lurid and sexually explosive material that was published on Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels. Sadlier welcomed the ruling. ALSO READ: Meta ordered to shut down Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels posting sexual content of SA schoolchildren [VIDEO] Meta responds In response to The Citizen, a Meta spokesperson stated that the company has taken action as ordered. 'We have zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation and are committed to ensuring the safety of all users on our platforms. 'We can confirm that the accounts we have been able to identify have been shut down, and we have submitted reports to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in line with applicable laws. We will continue to engage with law enforcement and respond to valid legal requests,' the Meta spokesperson said. Explicit content According to Sadlier, the content on the channels included several explicit images and videos, including that of a Grade 11 pupil from a school south of Johannesburg having sex with a girl in a room, while another video shows a Grade 12 boy having sex with a Grade 9 girl in a school bathroom, apparently filmed by another pupil. 'From time to time, it appears that Meta administrators will delete or block some of the pages and channels (presumably in response to user complaints). However, not long after, the same page or channel will be active again, or another channel will crop up replicating the previous channel – and the distribution of illegal content continues unabated,' Sadlier said. Sadlier warned parents to check their children's phones. 'I just want to alert parents to one of the biggest issues, and that is that these kids are all joining WhatsApp channels… The kind of content being circulated on these channels is horrific, child sexual abuse images, child pornography'. ALSO READ: Communications department welcomes ruling on Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
Gauteng High Court orders Meta to shut child porn accounts targeting SA learners
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has ordered tech giant Meta to shut down anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels distributing explicit child pornography involving South African learners. According to The Witness, Judge Mudunwazi Makamu granted the order yesterday after an urgent application by the Digital Law Company, directed by social media law expert Emma Sadlier. Makamu agreed with advocate Ben Winks's arguments that children were being victimised through the distribution of explicit material. Makamu ordered Meta to permanently shut down all linked accounts and channels and to 'disable the creator of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles listed… from creating any further WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles'. The company must also provide Digital Law Company with 'all information' in its possession about the creators. 'The respondents shall, before 12:00 on July 15, furnish to the applicant all information in the first respondent's possession pertaining to the creator(s) of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles.' Sadlier confirmed that The Digital Law Company obtained a High Court order against Meta to shut down certain anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp Channels distributing child pornography. Urgent action to protect children Sadlier confirmed the High Court order against Meta, describing it as crucial for protecting children from online exploitation. 'We count our lucky stars to be able to work with such extraordinary legal minds who understand how important it is to protect our children in this damn crazy world,' she said. The signed order will be sent to the registrar this morning, she told The Citizen. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emma Sadleir – The Digital Law Company (@thedigitallawcompany) Shocking revelations in court papers In court papers, Sadlier said pornographic material was sourced from the community via an anonymous uploading service called NGL (Not Gonna Lie). She explained that the person behind the Instagram profiles and WhatsApp channels appeared to be the same individual using similar aliases and uploading intimate content received from others. 'It goes without saying that the uploading and distribution of this content is a crime, a flagrant disregard of the law and an egregious violation of constitutional rights, including… the rights to dignity, privacy, the best interests of a child and psychological integrity,' she said. The channels reportedly included explicit images and videos of South African learners, some filmed in school bathrooms. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emma Sadleir – The Digital Law Company (@thedigitallawcompany) Meta's alleged failure to act Sadlier alleged that while Meta administrators occasionally deleted pages or channels, these were often reinstated or replicated soon after, allowing the illegal content to circulate again. Yesterday, Digital Law Company launched urgent legal action, saying a WhatsApp channel with over 11 000 followers – mostly children – had threatened to publish 'everything' that evening. In a letter to Meta, the company's attorney, Rupert Candy, warned: 'If you do not ensure the deletion of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles before then, the lives of numerous South African children will be irreparably harmed, with potentially suicidal consequences.' Sadlier said investigations revealed the person behind the profiles was soliciting sexual content from learners and distributing it to large audiences on WhatsApp community channels and Instagram profiles. 'The affected individuals face the imminent and irreparable dissemination of their most sensitive and intimate information,' she said. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
Meta ordered to shutdown Instagram and WhatsApp posting sex
Content included a grade 12 boy having sex with a grade 9 girl in a school bathroom apparently filmed by another pupil. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has ordered tech giant Meta to shut down certain anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp Channels distributing explicit child pornography involving South African schoolchildren. Judge Mudunwazi Makamu handed down the judgment in order sought by Digital Law Company, directed by social media law expert Emma Sadlier, on Monday. In the ruling, Makamu agreed with the arguments by advocate Ben Winks that children have been victimised by the publication of lurid material. Shutdown Makamu ordered Meta to shut down all the accounts and channels linked to the distribution of sexual content involving schoolchildren and to 'permanently disable the creator of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles listed… from creating any further WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles'. Meta has been ordered to furnish Digital Law Company 'all information' in its possession details of the creators. ALSO READ: Parents, use these Instagram tools to keep your teens safe online 'The respondents shall, before 12h00 on 15 July 2025, furnish to the applicant all information in the first respondent's possession pertaining to the creator(s) of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles.' Ruling Sadlier welcomed the ruling. 'Tonight The Digital Law Company obtained a High Court order against Meta to shut down certain anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp Channels distributing child pornography and degrading and humiliating content concerning children – and to hand over all identifying information. 'We count our lucky stars to be able to work with such extraordinary legal minds who understand how important it is to protect our children in this damn crazy world,' Sadlier said. Sadlier told The Citizen the signed order will be sent to the registrar on Tuesday morning. Porn material In court papers, Sadlier said the pornographic material of children was sourced from the community by sharing links to an anonymous uploading service titled 'NGL' (Not Gonna Lie). Sadlier added that the creator and operator of the Instagram profiles and WhatsApp channels sharing porn content of these schoolchildren 'appears to be the same person using many similar aliases'. ALSO READ: Instagram makes all teen accounts private in push for child safety [VIDEO] She said the person uploaded whatever intimate content they received onto the Instagram pages and WhatsApp channels. 'It goes without saying that the uploading and distribution of this content is a crime, a flagrant disregard of the law and an egregious violation of constitutional rights, including, among others, the rights to dignity, privacy, the best interests of a child and the right to psychological integrity.' School children According to Sadlier, the content on the channel included several explicit images and videos including that of a grade 11 pupil from a school south of Johannesburg having sex with a girl in a room, while another video shows a grade 12 boy having sex with a grade 9 girl in a school bathroom apparently filmed by another pupil. 'From time to time, it appears that Meta administrators will delete or block some of the pages and channels (presumably in response to user complaints). However, not long after, the same page or channel will be active again, or another channel will crop up replicating the previous channel – and the distribution of illegal content continues unabated,' Sadlier said. The Citizen has contacted Meta for a response. This will be included in the story once received. Urgent legal action On Monday, the Digital Law Company launched urgent legal action to compel Meta to stop an anonymous WhatsApp and Instagram user from further publishing private and pornographic material involving South African schoolchildren. The company's attorney, Rupert Candy, in a letter of demand to Meta, said the need for the urgency was that the live WhatsApp channel, which has over 11 000 followers (mostly children), issued a threat to publish 'everything' (with reference to pornographic images and videos, as well as private information, involving children) at 8pm on Monday evening, 14 July 2025. 'If you do not ensure the deletion of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles before then, the lives of numerous South African children will be irreparably harmed, with potentially suicidal consequences. You have the power to prevent this,' Candy wrote. Mass distribution In papers filed at the Gauteng High Court, Sadlier said investigations revealed that the person behind the profiles was soliciting sexual content from school children. 'They involve the mass distribution of unlawful material involving children to large unidentified audiences who are members of so-called WhatsApp 'community channels', as well as Instagram profiles,' Sadlier said. 'The content comprises explicit pornographic images and videos depicting children. The images and videos are often accompanied by other information relating to the individual child depicted, including their name, grade, school, as well as lewd or otherwise offensive descriptions relating to the individual's purported behaviour 'The affected individuals face the imminent and irreparable dissemination of their most sensitive and intimate information, which constitutes graphic child pornography, deeply invasive personal details, and profoundly defamatory content relating to numerous identifiable minors,' she said. Warning to parents Sadlier warned parents to check their children's phones. 'I just want to alert parents to one of the biggest issues, and that is that these kids are all joining WhatsApp Channels… The kind of content being circulated on these channels is horrific, child sexual abuse images, child pornography. 'I can't tell you how harmful this content is. Please log in to your child's WhatsApp account. At the bottom left, there is an icon labelled 'Updates.' If you click on that and go to the top, if your child is following any WhatsApp channel, it will come up. I want you to go and have a look at that channel and see what kind of content is being posted,' Sadlier warned. ALSO READ: NAG magazine launches winter edition with Doom: The Dark Ages on cover [VIDEO]
The Irish Sun
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
RTE pundit reveals hilarious schedule mix-up that means he'll miss Oasis' upcoming Croke Park concert
RICHIE Sadlier looked ahead in anger as he shared that he's double-booked a family holiday with Oasis' Dublin dates. According to 5 Sadlier is sadly going to have to miss out on seeing them at Croke Park Credit: @richiesadlier 5 Although some feel he ought to prioritise the Gallagher family over his own family getaway Credit: @richiesadlier 5 He's currently on RTE screens a lot to cover the Women's Euros in Switzerland Credit: @RTE Sport 5 Noel Gallagher was left teary-eyed towards the end of Friday night's show Credit: PA They're set to fill out Croke Park on August 16 and 17. But sadly for Sadlier, he won't be able to go. He explained to "By the time I realised we couldn't change the date or get a refund. Thought I was dealing with it quite well, turns out I am not." The Gallagher brothers Read More On Irish Football Newspaper headlines about the hugely-anticipated reunion flashed up on huge screens amid deafening cheers from the Perhaps the most memorable moment came later on when they paid a touching Liam, giving some oomph to his trademark swagger, told fans 'Manchester vibes in the area' before the band launched into Hello, the opening track on their multi-million selling second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. The song's lyrics include the line 'It's good to be back' — and fans agreed. Most read in Football The band then smashed into 1995 B-side and fan favourite Acquiesce. The poignancy of the lyrics — including 'because we need each other, we believe in one another' — was lost on no one in the crowd. Kyle Walker completes Burnley transfer as they unveil him in 'best announcement video ever' Many believed they would never see the day Noel, 58, was back on stage with The two-and-a-quarter hour set was packed with big moments, including the tribute to Jota — whose funeral took place today. The Irish Sun understands lifelong At the end of the track, a photograph of Jota wearing his Liverpool kit appeared — with the crowd breaking into huge applause as fans noticed the Portugese ace on the screen. 5 This sight will grace Croke Park on August 16 and 17 Credit: Getty Earlier, Liam, boiling in a thick coat on stage, shouted: 'Yes, beautiful people, simmer down', as the band settled in for their set — which was ear-splittingly loud in the Principality Stadium. Noel and Liam chose songs mainly from their first two albums, 1994's Definitely Maybe and 1995's (What's The Story) Morning Glory?. Liam kept his words short and sweet, joking: 'You're still on the glue down here, then', in reference to fans going wild as they played their 1995 No 1 hit Some Might Say, then Bring It On Down. Before Cigarettes & Alcohol, Liam urged the crowd: 'I want you to do us a favour. I don't ask much. 'I want you to turn around, every single one of you. Put your arms around each other like you like each other and when the tune starts you jump up and down. It's f***ing easy.' Joking again later with the crowd, before playing Slide Away, Liam asked: 'You're all having a good time yeah? Was it worth the £40,000 you paid for a ticket?'
BreakingNews.ie
29-04-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Bank of Ireland warn about 'significant increase' in phone scams in April
Bank of Ireland have warned about a new wave of phone scams in April. The new mobile phone text scams lure customers to call a fake bank phone line, with more than 20 fake Bank of Ireland phone lines being shut down by the bank this month. Advertisement The scam targets customers with a text message to their phone, requesting that they call a phone number about a transaction. If the victim calls the number, they are eventually duped into providing their confidential bank details to the fraudster or transferring money into the fraudster's account. Nicola Sadlier, head of fraud at Bank of Ireland, said that the bank want to warn people about the 'particular spike' in phone scams, with there being a significant increase so far in April compared to other months. Customers have been warned to look out for text messages claiming to be from your bank, asking you to call a number to confirm financial or personal information. Advertisement The texts can drop into a thread of genuine texts, and often they claim that urgent action is needed or there will be negative consequences. 'If a customer needs to verify if any text message is legitimate, they can call their bank using the phone number on their bank card. Bank of Ireland customers can also use our TextChecker service,' Ms Sadlier said. 'If someone suspects they have been a victim of fraud, they should contact their bank immediately so that the bank can take action to stop a fraud in progress and try to recover funds. 'If we're suspicious about possible fraud on your debit or credit card, we might text you and ask you to confirm if you made a transaction, but all you have to do is reply YES or NO.' Advertisement To use TextChecker, a customer can copy the text they wish to verify, paste it into a new message, add the word CHECK before the text, but in the same message, and send it to 50365. Bank of Ireland will then reply to let you know whether or not it is a genuine text. Bank of Ireland customers can call the bank's fraud team 24/7 on the freephone line 1800 946 764.
