From 3 April, the EU will become the only region worldwide without legal certainty allowing technology companies to detect child sexual abuse material online, prompting urgent warnings from child protection experts and global tech organisations. A coalition of 246 civil society groups and major industry players has condemned lawmakers for failing to extend the temporary legal framework that permitted privacy‑preserving detection tools, leaving companies unsure whether safeguarding systems remain lawful. With the EU already hosting the highest concentration of known child sexual abuse material - 62% of confirmed webpages in 2024 - experts warn the situation will worsen, reducing detections, hampering investigations, and emboldening offenders. As the EU’s proposed permanent legislation remains deadlocked, industry leaders and protection advocates stress that immediate action is essential to prevent increased harm to children across Europe and beyond.
New Internet Watch Foundation data reveals a sharp rise in commercial child sexual abuse websites, with criminal gangs monetising children’s exploitation through subscription models and digital payments. The charity warns of systemic failures across online platforms, financial services and encrypted technologies that allow abuse to flourish. As reports of sexual extortion surge, particularly targeting boys, the IWF calls for stronger regulation of payment systems, encryption safeguards and decisive government action to disrupt the online economy of child sexual exploitation.
A new report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Social Media.
Campaigners are warning teenagers and their parents about online grooming and sexual exploitation as schools break up for the summer.
Discover the latest data and insights in the fight against online child sexual abuse imagery in the 2025 Annual data & insights report from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
IWF CEO Kerry Smith calls for complete EU ban of AI abuse content at high-level meeting of global experts in Rome
Speaking in the Lords, several Peers highlight the crucial work of the IWF and call for action from the Government to provide age-appropriate online safety advice.
New IWF data reveals a startling increase in ‘self-generated’ material where children have been tricked or groomed by predators.
The Internet Watch Foundation is pleased to be among the winners of the Digital Communication Awards 2021.