IWF CEO Kerry Smith calls for complete EU ban of AI abuse content at high-level meeting of global experts in Rome
A new IWF report reveals record levels of AI‑generated child sexual abuse imagery and alarming insight into how offenders are exploiting emerging technologies. The charity is urging EU lawmakers to introduce a zero‑tolerance ban on AI‑generated abuse and the tools used to create it.
The IWF’s latest AI report exposes rapidly escalating harms to children as the EU moves to scale back the tools that detect and remove child sexual abuse material online. The charity warns that the EU must act urgently to criminalise AI‑generated abuse and preserve essential detection systems before risks intensify further.
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Speaking at the state opening of Parliament, the Queen said the UK will lead the way in making sure the internet is safe for all.
In December, the IWF raised concerns that new rules under the e-Privacy Directive, which came into force on December 21, could make it illegal for tech companies to scan online messages for suspected child sexual abuse material.
“It is important that we not only look at the online element of these crimes but the impact that it also has on communities"
A record number of reports of online child sexual abuse have been processed by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
“Firms must do all they can to keep users, particularly children, safe and to stop any illegal content from spreading on their platforms but the legislation must support them in doing that"