Parents across the world are calling for clearer, stronger action to keep children safe online.
IWF CEO Kerry Smith welcomes TikTok’s decision to prioritise child protection over end‑to‑end encryption.
On 3 April, essential child protection systems used by technology companies to detect and remove online child sexual abuse material will become illegal to operate in the EU unless the European Parliament votes to extend the current legal framework. A temporary law allowing voluntary detection is expiring, and political deadlock has stalled a permanent solution. This will create a dangerous legal vacuum that perpetrators are aware of and poised to exploit. Proven tools like hash‑matching - which do not compromise privacy - would be forced offline, enabling millions of known abusive images to resurface. Research shows these systems deter offenders and make access harder; disabling them will reverse this progress. MEPs have one final chance to act by voting for an amendment that preserves protections for children across Europe.
The IWF warns that the EU’s failure to extend the temporary derogation will force platforms to halt proactive detection of child sexual abuse, putting children at serious risk.
We've partnered with CHI to build capacity amongst international helpline staff to deal with online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Security Institute announces partnership with Internet Watch Foundation
IWF analysts use CAID and victim reports to verify teen abuse victims, helping remove illegal imagery that might otherwise be missed.
Explore key achievements from IWF in 2024, including global collaborations, technological advancements and efforts to combat online child sexual abuse.
Chair Catherine Brown reflects on IWF’s 2024 work to tackle online child sexual abuse and expand international impact.
Interim CEO Derek Ray-Hill reflects on IWF's 2024 efforts to combat online child abuse and enhance global safety measures.