News

Teenage boys targeted as hotline sees ‘heartbreaking’ increase in child ‘sextortion’ reports

Teenage boys targeted as hotline sees ‘heartbreaking’ increase in child ‘sextortion’ reports

The IWF and NSPCC say tech platforms must do more to protect children online as confirmed sextortion cases soar.

18 March 2024 News
Pioneering chatbot reduces searches for illegal sexual images of children

Pioneering chatbot reduces searches for illegal sexual images of children

A major 18-month trial project has demonstrated a first-of-its-kind chatbot and warning message can reduce the number of online searches that may potentially be indicative of intent to find sexual images of children.

29 February 2024 News
“Trailblazing” partnership takes aim at criminals profiting from child sexual abuse online

“Trailblazing” partnership takes aim at criminals profiting from child sexual abuse online

Criminals running commercial child sexual abuse ‘brands’ are taking advantage of a ‘loophole’ to remain online. This new partnership aims to shut them down for good.

7 February 2024 News
A sporting twist for a serious cause – working together to stop child sexual abuse online

A sporting twist for a serious cause – working together to stop child sexual abuse online

Pinsent Masons, a leading multinational law firm held the Move for a Safer Internet challenge to raise essential funds and awareness of IWF’s critical work.

6 February 2024 News
Link management platform Rebrandly joins the IWF

Link management platform Rebrandly joins the IWF

Rebrandly, which provides a free URL Shortener Platform with custom domains to shorten a long link, joined the IWF as members in December 2023. 

18 January 2024 News
Under 10s groomed online ‘like never before’ as hotline discovers record amount of child sexual abuse

Under 10s groomed online ‘like never before’ as hotline discovers record amount of child sexual abuse

Against the worsening backdrop, the IWF warns moves like Meta’s decision to prevent the blocking of child sexual abuse imagery on Facebook’s Messenger service are ‘utterly incomprehensible’.

17 January 2024 News
Don’t delay talking to girls about keeping safe online, parents urged

Don’t delay talking to girls about keeping safe online, parents urged

New report identifies honest communication as pivotal in battle to stop ‘self-generated’ child sexual abuse material.

11 January 2024 News
Bitly acts to enhance user safety with new IWF partnership

Bitly acts to enhance user safety with new IWF partnership

Bitly Inc. partners with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to detect and block child sexual abuse material.

14 December 2023 News
IWF ‘outraged’ at Meta decision to prioritise privacy of paedophiles over children’s safety

IWF ‘outraged’ at Meta decision to prioritise privacy of paedophiles over children’s safety

Meta announces rollout of end-to-end encryption on its platforms, beginning with Facebook Messenger.

7 December 2023 News
Catherine Brown named as new IWF Chair

Catherine Brown named as new IWF Chair

Ms Brown will take over from Andrew Puddephatt OBE, who has held the post since 2017.

27 November 2023 News
Discord steps up bid to rid internet of ‘appalling’ child sexual abuse imagery

Discord steps up bid to rid internet of ‘appalling’ child sexual abuse imagery

‘There can be no safe place for these criminals to operate. Children deserve a safer and happier internet.’

21 November 2023 News
New tool allows police around the world to scan for known abuse imagery in 'seconds'

New tool allows police around the world to scan for known abuse imagery in 'seconds'

'This is an important step in ensuring our world-leading expertise can be quickly drawn upon by police and law enforcement the world over.'

20 November 2023 News