Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

Tackling online child sexual abuse requires a collective, international effort - and the Protech Project is proof of what’s possible when organisations from across the EU and the UK come together to innovate, research and act. On 10 April we will be sharing our insights at the Protech Final Conference in Brussels (with an online option for remote attendees). 🔹 Hear from leading experts 🔹 Gain insights into innovative tech 🔹 Be part of the conversation on the future of online child protection 🚀 Register now to secure your place: https://lnkd.in/ebHk7qPc

#TrendsandData: In 2024, 245 reports assessed by our analysts contained AI-generated imagery of child sexual abuse. This is a 380% increase on 2023 data and equates to 7,644 images and a small number of videos. 7,063 of these images and videos were so realistic that were actioned as 'real’ imagery. ❗AI-generated child sexual abuse content is extremely harmful, as it often involves the use of real children’s faces or bodies in its creation. Learn more in our #BehindTheScreens Annual Data & Insights Report: https://lnkd.in/dTPCW37z

Our “revolutionary” Image Intercept is a new safety tool that will safeguard thousands of online platforms from child sexual abuse imagery. We're making nearly three million ‘hashes’ of criminal imagery available to smaller online platforms, businesses, and startups for free. The initiative aims to help online platforms become hostile spaces for the continued spread of child sexual abuse imagery. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/eaxXWTrx

Many thanks Megan Hinton for joining us on Wednesday. It was an honour to have you on stage alongside our Chair Catherine Brown, our Interim CEO Derek Ray-Hill, our Communications Director Emma Hardy Chart.PR, Home Office Minister Sir David Hanson and a senior IWF content analyst.

On Wednesday our Victim and Survivor provided a powerful testimony at the launch of Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) Annual Data & Insights Report 🗣️ . The latest figures are harrowing and show why the work of IWF and MCF is more important now than ever. With the report showing that in 2024, every 74 seconds IWF analysts assessed a report. Every 108 seconds that report showed a child being sexually abused. During her presentation Megan spoke about what it is like to be one of the children in the images assessed by analysts daily: “The impact of child sexual abuse material cannot be understated. The images and videos captured as part of my abuse at age 14 remain an omnipresent fear in my life and I am revictimised every time these are viewed. “As a survivor I live in fear of being recognised by those who may have seen my images, and this very real anxiety is only increasing with technological advancements in AI now providing offenders with further opportunities to manipulate the imagery. 🛜 The announcement of brand now tool Image Intercept will instil hope in thousands of victims and survivors across the UK. Megan added: “To know that tools exist which proactively identify, block and prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material is a powerful remedy to alleviate the pervasive anxiety that survivors live with.” Read the full report here ➡️ : https://www.iwf.org.uk/

#BehindTheScreens Annual Report - In 2024, 91% of the reports assessed as criminal by our analysts contained ‘self-generated’ imagery. Our long-running awareness campaigns aim to empower and educate young people about the tactics of offenders and encourage good quality conversations in the family home about online safety. Find out more in our latest Annual Data & Insights Report: https://lnkd.in/da69Rmjw #TrendsandData

The EU remains a prime destination for criminals determined to share, sell and buy sexual images and videos of children, reveals our latest Annual Data & Insights Report, with the Netherlands hosting most of the global criminal content found online by our analysts. We're calling for Member States to come together and push forward with needed child protection laws. Read more on our website:https://lnkd.in/eaxXWTrx

I am delighted to welcome DoubleVerify into Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) membership. We are looking forward to working with this innovative and high growth organisation led by Mark Zagorski to create a safer online experience for young people. It was inspiring to meet up with their Chief Legal Officer Andy Grimmig recently in Washington DC and discuss our future collaboration. Many thanks to Beatrice Botti for all her hard work in making this connection and my colleague Lene Nielsen in representing IWF so effectively.

Our Annual Data & Insights Report launched yesterday. Today, Gregor Poynton MP publishes this article highlighting some of our findings. Read the full article below. https://lnkd.in/dNyimmDB

Image Intercept is the Internet Watch Foundation’s new tool making it simple for companies to stop the upload of known child sexual abuse images and videos to their websites, platforms and online services. And for small companies it’s free, helping them take steps to comply with or go beyond duties within the UK’s Online Safety Act and making a safer online experience for everyone. It uses advanced hash-matching technologies, including Microsoft’s PhotoDNA and cryptographic hashing methods. It's also deliberately simple and straightforward to use. Sign up with IWF today. iwf.org.uk/imageintercept   Ofcom, UK Home Office #OSA #ImageIntercept #techforgood #onlinesafety