The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has significantly expanded its reach in combating online child sexual abuse through a new partnership with the Public Interest Registry (PIR). This collaboration has tripled the number of domain registries utilizing IWF's protective tools within just six months, now covering nearly 37.9 million domains.
Launched in February 2024, this initiative offers free access to vital IWF services, including Domain Alerts and the TLD Hopping List, to all participating registries. This development is crucial in disrupting the operations of criminal gangs that exploit domain hopping to evade detection.
Derek Ray-Hill, Interim CEO of IWF, emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling these challenges, stating, “Through this landmark initiative, we've been able to bring IWF protection to even more parts of the internet.” The initiative intends to send a strong message to those involved in child exploitation that their activities will be met with robust countermeasures.
The PIR’s sponsorship aligns with its mission to enhance internet safety, providing registries with real-time alerts to swiftly remove harmful content. This proactive approach has already shown promising results, with one registry reporting that 70% of its child sexual abuse material (CSAM) alerts came directly from the IWF.
As the IWF continues to expand its services, the initiative underscores the collective responsibility of the internet community to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure a safer online environment.