Overview
- The eSafety Commission recorded 2,206 complaints of sexual extortion for July–December 2025 and found men aged 18–24 were the largest single victim group.
- Investigators documented repeat coercion scripts and cross‑service 'kill chains' that often begin on public apps like Instagram or Tinder and move to encrypted chat on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- The report shows major platforms routinely rely on user reports instead of using available proactive tools such as text‑analysis, backend signal monitoring or on‑device detection for encrypted messages.
- eSafety recommended specific fixes — language analysis on non‑encrypted surfaces, behavioural signals to spot suspicious account movement, one‑click in‑app reporting and on‑device checks for encrypted services — while noting only patchy uptake by Microsoft, Google, Snap and Meta.
- The regulator warned of severe psychological harm to victims, highlighted links to child sexual exploitation when minors are targeted, and noted the Australian government has moved in June to give eSafety stronger enforcement powers.