IWF Facilitation of the Blocking Initiative
IWF Facilitation of the blocking initiative
IWF's core function is to provide an internet Hotline for the public to report their accidental exposure to criminal online content within our remit and as the national 'notice and take-down' body for that content so it is it is quickly removed from circulation. We consider removal at source to be the most effective way of combating child sexual abuse images online and other criminal content within our remit which has been almost eradicated from UK networks.
We also work internationally to remove child sexual abuse images from the internet by passing details of every identified non-UK website to our partner Hotline in that country so they can investigate it within their own legislation and in cooperation with their national law enforcement agencies.
Whilst child sexual abuse images hosted abroad remain available, the UK internet industry has voluntarily agreed to block access to them using a list provided by the IWF. We consider blocking to be a short-term disruption tactic which can help protect internet users from stumbling across these images, whilst processes to have them removed are instigated.
Further information
Since 2004 many companies have chosen to make use of this list to protect their customers, namely, internet service providers, mobile operators, search providers, and filtering companies. National and international law enforcement agencies and INHOPE Hotlines may also access to the list on a mutual exchange basis.
Every URL on the list depicts indecent images of children, advertisements for or links to such content. The list typically contains 500 to 800 URLs at any one time and is updated twice a day to ensure all entries are live. As well as making the internet a safer place for everyone, this initiative can help to diminish the re-victimisation of children by restricting opportunities to view their sexual abuse and may disrupt the accessibility and supply of images to those who seek them out.
Every URL on the list depicts indecent images of children, advertisements for or links to such content. The list typically contains 500 to 800 URLs at any one time and is updated twice a day to ensure all entries are live. As well as making the internet a safer place for everyone, this initiative can help to diminish the re-victimisation of children by restricting opportunities to view their sexual abuse and may disrupt the accessibility and supply of images to those who seek them out.
Unfortunately, blocking cannot put an end to offenders abusing children nor can it effectively deny determined criminals who are actively seeking such material.
Our systems and processes in compiling this list are periodically inspected and audited by eminent independent experts. The URLs are assessed according to UK law, a process reinforced by reciprocal police training with each image being categorised in line with criteria set out by the UK Sentencing Guidelines Council.
Our systems and processes in compiling this list are periodically inspected and audited by eminent independent experts. The URLs are assessed according to UK law, a process reinforced by reciprocal police training with each image being categorised in line with criteria set out by the UK Sentencing Guidelines Council.
IWF’s role in this blocking initiative is restricted to the compilation and provision of a list: the blocking solution is entirely a matter for the company deploying the list. Our list is designed and provided for blocking specific URLs only. Any decision to convert or adapt the list to block whole domains may lead to the overblocking of legitimate content and is not supported by the IWF.
Blocking facilitated by the use of our list applies only to potentially illegal URLs related to child sexual abuse content on publicly available websites. The distribution of these images through other channels such as peer-to-peer is a matter for our police partners. IWF has no plans to extend the type of content included on the list.
Blocking facilitated by the use of our list applies only to potentially illegal URLs related to child sexual abuse content on publicly available websites. The distribution of these images through other channels such as peer-to-peer is a matter for our police partners. IWF has no plans to extend the type of content included on the list.
Notifying the website owner of any blocked URL is the responsibility of the Hotline or relevant law enforcement agency in the country believed to be hosting the content. However any website owner who believes they have been erroneously listed has the right of appeal.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
We have a responsibility to provide detailed information about our facilitation of the blocking initiative therefore we hope these FAQs can address any questions regarding our role in the process.
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Page Created: Wed, October 26th, 2005
Page Modified: Tue, January 19th, 2010
