Today is Internet Watch Foundation day (IWF). The purpose of it is for the Internet users to report their inadvertent exposure to online child sexual abuse content hosted anywhere in the world and criminally obscene and incitement to racial hatred content hosted in the UK.
The IWF started back in 1996 and works with the Police, Government, and other organsiations to help reduce and combat the availability of illegal online content. It is also self-regulating.

Through the ‘Hotline’ reporting system, the IWF helps the online industry combat abuse of its services through a ‘notice and take-down’ initiative by alerting them to potentially illegal content within IWF’s remit on their systems and enabling the police to investigate those responsible. This partnership approach is recognised internationally and the IWF is committed to sharing its good practice, expertise and experience around the world, contributing to dialogue beyond the UK and Europe, to ensure greater awareness of global issues and responsibilities.

The 24th October is and has always been IWF Awareness Day. The aim of IWF Awareness Day is to reach out to the UK’s vast online population to publicise the existence of the IWF’s Internet ‘Hotline’ so all UK Internet users know what to do if they inadvertently stumble across online images of children being sexually abused and let them know that IWF is dedicated to getting potentially illegal online content removed.

For this one day each year IWF members and stakeholders dedicate space for IWF advertising and information to indicate their ongoing support of the organisation’s work.

For more information or to report a website visit www.iwf.org.uk

Tags: Internet