Australian authorities are developing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to help law enforcement decipher Gen Z slang, emojis, and encrypted messages often used by online predators to disguise illicit conversations.
According to Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett, the project being developed in partnership with Microsoft aims to enhance the ability of investigators to detect and respond to child exploitation, cyberbullying, and online radicalisation.
“Clever AFP members, with Microsoft, are developing a prototype AI tool that will interpret emojis and Gen Z-and-Alpha slang in encrypted communications,” Barrett said.
“This prototype aims to make it quicker for our teams to save children from harm much earlier.”
Tackling Online Exploitation and Crimefluencers
Barrett expressed growing concern over the rise of “crimefluencers” individuals using social media platforms to manipulate, exploit, and influence young users for criminal purposes.
“They are crimefluencers motivated by anarchy and harm, with most of their victims being pre-teen or teenage girls,” she noted.
The AFP says the use of coded language, memes, and emojis has made it increasingly difficult to identify predatory or extremist behaviour online, prompting the need for AI-powered solutions that can interpret subtle patterns of digital communication.
Australia’s New Social Media Crackdown
In a broader effort to protect minors, Australia will begin enforcing new social media restrictions from December 10, requiring platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to remove users under the age of 16.
The move has drawn global attention as governments worldwide struggle to curb the growing dangers of social media from cyber exploitation to radical content while balancing privacy and digital freedom.
Barrett emphasized that while technology presents new risks, it also offers innovative tools for law enforcement and child protection.
“We’re embracing technology to counter technology. Our goal is to stay one step ahead of predators.”
