Google’s image-scanning illustrates how tech firms can penalise the innocent | John Naughton

New technology helps to track child abuse images, but in the case of false positives, companies don't always rescind suspensions

Here's a hypothetical scenario. You're the parent of a toddler, a little boy. His penis has become swollen because of an infection and it's hurting him. You phone the GP's surgery and eventually get through to the practice's nurse. The nurse suggests you take a photograph of the affected area and email it so that she can consult one of the doctors.

So you get out your Samsung phone, take a couple of pictures and send them off. A short time later, the nurse phones to say that the GP has prescribed some antibiotics that you can pick up from the surgery's pharmacy. You drive there, pick them up and in a few hours the swelling starts to reduce and your lad is perking up. Panic over.