Hundreds of MEPs have signed a declaration calling for search engines to be monitored, as part of a plan to combat online paedophilia.

The emotively presented declaration pictures a distressed child, and claims that the "the internet allows paedophiles and sex offenders to enjoy freedom of action, putting them on the same footing as honest citizens and making it difficult for the authorities to trace them."

The declaration adds that it is "essential to ensure that the internet continues to afford a high level of virtual democracy, which does not present any threat to women and children."

The internet allows paedophiles and sex offenders to enjoy freedom of action, putting them on the same footing as honest citizens

The motion asks for Directive 2006/24/EC to be extended to search engines, as part of pan-European early warning system for paedophiles and sex offenders. The MEPs claim this is necessary "in order to tackle online child pornography and sex offending rapidly and effectively".

Directive 2006/24/EC refers to the "retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services".

More than 320 MEPs have signed the declaration, bringing it tantalisingly close to the 369 majority required for adoption.

MEPs such as the Swedish Pirate Party member, Christian Engström, are calling on members to withdraw their signature before the majority is reached and the decision can't be reversed.

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Also, you just know this sort of thing would see some poor person getting their door kicked in and inadvertently branded a pervert just cos they dared to type 'kids sports day' or something into a search engine

Or finding a doctor.

Only dyslexics looking for a children's doctor.

Funny you say that. My GF likes Masterchef and there was a guy on there they kept calling a 'children's doctor' and it really started to feck us off.

He's a paediatrician FFS! How overprotective can you get.

As for the Google thingy, it's missing the point. Most child abuse is committed by family or close family members, this will do squat to help with a majority of cases and will no doubt produce a lot of harmful false-positives.

Put time and effort into tracking down these offenders rather than trying to palm it off onto a 3rd party and washing your hands of it.

It is a look like we are doing something program.

Those are generally the most dangerous, ill conceived projects imaginable.

Like the dangerous dogs act. Completely ignoring the human side of the equation.

Or LARGE full width speed humps on the main road approaching a hospital A&E that all the ambulances use .............

They help with the chest compressions.