A unique safety tech tool which uses machine learning in real-time to detect child sexual abuse images and videos is to be developed by a collaboration of EU and UK experts.
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and more than 65 child rights organisations are urgently calling on EU leaders to get vital child sexual abuse legislation ‘back on track’ to making the internet a safer place for children, following a vote by the European Parliament votes that dramatically limits the scope of the regulation.
IWF join ECLAG coalition colleagues outside the EU Parliament in Brussels to highlight the importance of passing the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation.
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.
Dan explains the vital role the proposal could have in preventing the widespread sexual abuse, rape, and sexual torture of child victims online.
13 organisations launch campaign to stop the spread of child sexual abuse material online
IWF used to receive some funding from the European Union’s EU Safer Internet Programme. This is now provided by Nominet.
EU countries urged to have ‘courage’ and push for better laws to protect children at IWF’s annual report launch in Brussels
The IWF is one of the most effective hotlines in the world at removing child sexual abuse imagery from the internet, but this has only been possible thanks to the key international partnerships.
We've been working with the Council of Europe on furthering countries and nations' commitments to children’s rights and raising awareness about child sexual abuse.