Child porn law not global

Since the advent of the Web and the consequent growth in child-porn trafficking, we've usually heard that child pornography is illegal in most countries. Now we know it isn't, thanks to a new study by the International Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "ICMEC's global policy review of child pornography laws in 184 Interpol-member countries showed that more than half [138] have no laws that specifically address child pornography, and in many others the existing laws are insufficient," Information Week reports. The ICMEC's press release added: "Surprisingly, just five of the countries reviewed have laws considered comprehensive enough to make a significant impact on the crime: Australia, Belgium, France, South Africa, and the United States." The number of calls last year to the US's National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline.com (800.843.5678) was 340,000, up from "more than 24,400 in 2001."