Internet Watch Foundation
Budget
€8,419,335
EP Access
3
accredited persons
Staff
5
1.7 FTE
EU Grants
€141,115
Mission & Goals
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is a UK-based not-for-profit organisation established in 1996. Our core mission is to detect, disrupt, remove, and prevent online child sexual abuse material (CSAM). We provide a secure, anonymous platform for the public to report suspected CSAM. After assessment, confirmed CSAM is removed in cooperation with internet service providers and law enforcement. We collaborate internationally, with reporting portals in over 50 countries. We work with industry to develop and distribute technological tools like image hash lists and URL blocking lists to help identify and prevent the spread of CSAM. In turn, we are supported by the internet industry, government bodies, NGOs, and the public. We operate in close partnership with police, governments, and other child protection organisations around the world.
EU Legislative Interests
• EU initiatives related to the fight against online child sexual abuse material and online child safety, including proposals in the context of the European Digital Single Market, but primarily the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation and Child Sexual Abuse Directive. • E-privacy, GDPR, e-commerce directive, Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence, EU strategy on Child Sexual Abuse, EU strategy on the Rights of the Child, Better Internet for Kids Strategy. • INI Report on the protection of minors online. • Blocking/filtering and freedom of the internet debates.
Communication Activities
• April 2024: met with the European Commission to discuss enforcement of the Digital Services Act. • July 2024: met with the Belgian Presidency to discuss the Hungarian Presidency in the EU, and to wrap up discussions on the EU CSA regulation. • September 2024: co-hosted ECLAG breakfast in the EP with MEP Zarzalejos. • December 2024: attended a roundtable with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, highlighting the need for leadership in passing the CSA Directive and Regulation. • January 2025: Shared a joint ECLAG briefing on the CSAR for the Polish Presidency. • February 2025: Circulated to MEPs a paper on Child Sexual Abuse generated by Artificial Intelligence in reaction to the Council position which could effectively lead to the decriminalisation of the production and possession of AI-CSAM for personal use. • March 2025: several meetings with policymakers in the EP. Participated in a panel event in the EP on AI CSAM chaired by MEP Maria Walsh.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
INHOPE - INHOPE is an active and collaborative network of 51 hotlines in 45 countries worldwide, dealing with illegal content online and committed to stamping out child sexual abuse from the Internet. ECLAG (European Child Sexual Abuse Legislation Advocacy Group) - a coalition of child rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) fighting to protect children from sexual violence and abuse. IWF sits on the steering group.
Organisation Members
https://www.iwf.org.uk/members
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.