Draft status
“We’re operating in an online world that never stands still,” says Chris Hughes, Hotline Director at the IWF. “The tools offenders use are getting faster, smarter and more automated, and offender pathways are becoming more complex and diverse. Technological advances often present us with new challenges and potential solutions. Our job is to ensure the balance of power and control stays on the side of the vulnerable.”
IWF’s datasets and services have continued to evolve in scale and sophistication. As the largest hotline for the detection and identification of child sexual abuse imagery in Europe, our data is trusted globally – by tech companies, law enforcement agencies and safety tech providers – to stop criminal material from spreading.
Our work goes far beyond removal. Every day, we analyse, categorise and transform intelligence into powerful tools that prevent re-uploads, block access and close down avenues for harm. With twice-daily updates shared across our network, Members can act fast, scanning their systems and stopping criminal content from going viral within hours.
Our core suite of services remains the foundation of this ecosystem:
This foundation supports over 220 Member companies, helping them detect, block and report child sexual abuse material wherever it appears. In 2025, there was significant innovation in how these tools are deployed and connected. We invested in adaptive datasets that respond dynamically to new trends, allowing faster pattern recognition and better coverage of previously unseen material – including AI-generated imagery.
“Our analysts are constantly refining our datasets,” says Chris. “We’re identifying subtle variations that traditional automated systems or inexperienced moderators or analysts might miss including hidden or obfuscated links to criminal content. That’s where our expert human insight makes the difference.”
IWF also expanded its support for global law enforcement. The richness of our data continues to help investigators trace and identify abusers: “When we share intelligence with the National Crime Agency or foreign services, it’s not only about removing illegal content,” says Chris. “Our data helps identify the individuals and networks behind the trade – the people buying, selling, and distributing child sexual abuse material – so law enforcement can take targeted action and stop online abuse at its source.”
The strength of our service lies in the precision and reliability of our data. Less than XX% of the child sexual abuse imagery identified by IWF in 2025 was hosted in the UK – maintaining the country’s status as one of the most undesirable places in the world to host criminal material.
Looking ahead, IWF is continuing to build datasets that anticipate future risks – from synthetic imagery created by “nudifying” apps, to the misuse of generative AI and immersive online environments. “Our mission doesn’t change,” Chris adds. “But the tools we build must always stay one step ahead. Every dataset we develop is about preventing or reducing harm to the next victim – not just reacting to the last.”
Discover more about the services we provide for our Members.