Registry steps up to tackle child sexual abuse online in partnership with IWF

Domain .ME, the registry for the .ME domain extension, is packing a punch for online safety by partnering with the Internet Watch Foundation.

The .ME domain is Montenegro’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD), yet it is also widely available globally. With approximately 1.2 million domains registered, .ME is used in more than 220 countries around the world.

The registry originally gained access to IWF services through the PIR sponsorship programme and has now stepped up to join as a Member itself. By doing so, Domain .ME  joins more than 200 tech companies around the world who share the IWF’s vision to put an end to child sexual abuse imagery online.

The IWF’s TLD Hopping List targets the criminal sites that the IWF has identified as recognisable abuse ‘brands’ that ‘hop’ around on the internet to remain active. These are criminal sites that are taken offline, only to reappear, often with the same content and same name, but under a different top-level domain. By checking against this list, registries ensure there will be fewer places for criminals running abuse ‘brands’ to try to register their sites.

Domain .ME CEO Predrag Lešić said: “At .ME Registry, we are committed to creating a safer and more responsible online space. Joining the Internet Watch Foundation reflects our commitment to collaborating with industry leaders to prevent online abuse, raise awareness of online safety, and support the IWF’s vital mission.

"We believe that working together is essential to protect vulnerable users, uphold the integrity of the internet, and create a safer digital space for all.”

Derek Ray-Hill, Interim CEO of the IWF, said: “We are proud to partner with Domain .ME  which has shown its commitment to child safety by coming on board as a Member.

“Last year, IWF analysts recorded more child sexual abuse reports online than ever before and we know that what we see is only the tip of the iceberg.

“There has never been a more important time to tackle this harmful content and collaboration with like-minded organisations is essential for achieving our mission to eradicate and stop the spread of this material online.”

Images and videos of online child sexual abuse can be reported anonymously here. 

The public is given this advice when making a report:

• Do report images and videos of child sexual abuse to the IWF to be removed. Reports to the IWF are anonymous.
• Do provide the exact URL where child sexual abuse images are located.
• Don’t report other harmful content – you can find details of other agencies to report to on the IWF’s website.
• Do report to the police if you are concerned about a child’s welfare.
• Do report only once for each web address – or URL. Repeat reporting of the same URL isn’t needed and wastes analysts’ time.
• Do report non-photographic visual depictions of the sexual abuse of children, such as computer-generated images. Anything of this nature, which is also hosted in the UK, the IWF can get removed.