A U.S. woman whose childhood abuse images continue to circulate online has pleaded with Elon Musk to remove links from his social media platform, X.
The survivor, known publicly as “Zora,” was first abused more than two decades ago by a family member.
Although her abuser was later prosecuted, images of the abuse were shared widely and remain in circulation among online traders. Zora says the continued sharing of those files leaves her feeling re-victimized.
Her material was recently discovered on accounts that were openly advertising illegal content.
Investigators traced the activity to a trader in Jakarta, Indonesia, who was offering collections of abuse images and videos through the messaging app Telegram.
The trader appeared to manage more than 100 accounts on X, reopening new profiles each time an account was shut down.
According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, which examined samples supplied by the trader, the collection likely contained thousands of files involving multiple victims.
Activists working with Anonymous told the BBC that this seller managed more than 100 nearly identical accounts on X, with new ones appearing as quickly as old ones were taken down.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received over 20 million reports of child abuse material in 2024 alone, highlighting the scale of the challenge faced by platforms.
Experts warn that removing individual accounts is not enough, as traders quickly return with new profiles.
X stated that it has “zero tolerance” for such material and continues to invest in detection systems, working with NCMEC and law enforcement.
Telegram, where the trader also operated, said it banned more than 565,000 groups and channels connected to child exploitation this year.
Zora, however, says these efforts fall short. She has called directly on Musk to act decisively, saying survivors should not have to endure the knowledge that their abuse is being promoted on mainstream platforms.