Several days ago, I received a comment that wasn’t in response to a particular post.  I have, as best I could, tried to reach the person who sent it–to no avail yet.  The comment raises a subject that’s worth noting, if not serious consideration, especially since there have been three alleged situations in the past few days involving what appears to be the subject of the comment:  child pornography.  (Click here, here and here.)

The comment reads as follows:  “I am employed by a company that has some of the most horrible images imaginable on P.C.’s , often times in plain view.  I was approached while working on a company P.C. when an image from a co-worker’s e-mail surfaced.  I tried to explain that I had not knowingly opened this file.  It had no visible exit and remained on the screen for a matter of minutes.  It was, I think, in a slideshow and at one point in time a picture of a naked child popped up.  This picture was mixed in with other pornographic photos.  I don’t know what to do.  Not only is this immoral, it’s illegal.  I have spoken with everyone in authoritative positions and no one has reacted.  Is there an agency that I can contact?”

This could have been a comment related to a post I did on December 28, 2007, but that’s a little too far removed.  Maybe the commenter is interested in trying to protect himself/herself, since someone apparently witnessed the commenter’s viewing of the slideshow.  Maybe the commenter is absolutely sincere about his/her concern.

Although it’s not clear that the picture of the child in the slideshow was pornographic, I’m assuming that’s the case.  If so, that’s serious–criminal.  If people in authority at the company aren’t taking any action, they’re putting themselves at risk for being charged with a crime (see my previous post).  If the commenter isn’t in a management position, it’s less clear whether he/she could be charged with a crime.  Of course, the person whose computer contains the pornographic images is almost certainly at risk of criminal prosecution.  (Also remember, of course, that pornographic images, even if not child pornography, can result in sexual harassment complaints and may be a violation of the company’s Internet use policy.)

The agency that should be contacted is the FBI.  Before contacting the FBI, however, legal advice should be obtained to make sure that what has been seen is child pornography, to determine what legal culpability there may be for the commenter and others at the company, and to make as sure as possible that appropriate action is being taken.