Policy work
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is recognised globally as a model of best practice in tackling child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. We work with governments, regulators, law enforcement, civil society, and the tech industry to disrupt the systems that enable online exploitation and abuse.
Our policy and public affairs work is focused on shaping legislation and regulation that protects children, promotes safety online, and holds platforms accountable. We advocate for frameworks that enable proactive detection, reporting, and removal of CSAM, while embedding child protection into emerging technologies and digital services.
In 2025, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle MP said:
At the Internet Watch Foundation, I was confronted with the devastating reality of online child abuse. Seeing the dedication and professionalism of their team was profoundly moving. It's not some distant threat; it's here, it's real, and it's happening now. The visit also underscored the importance of the Online Safety Act. From today, companies now have a legal duty to proactively tackle child abuse material on their platforms. These are groundbreaking laws, but I also want to see tech companies collaborating more with organisations like the IWF, using their tools and expertise to remove traces of this abhorrent content. But the Online Safety Act is not the end of the conversation; it’s the foundation. We will keep listening to partners like the IWF and will not hesitate to strengthen the law further to ensure our children are safe and protected online.
Our latest policy articles & blogs
IWF calls for Council to agree to Danish compromise on the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation before the temporary derogation expires
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is urging the Council of the European Union to agree to the Danish compromise on the proposed Regulation to combat the spread of child sexual abuse (CSAR).
11 September 2025
Blog
Government must tackle sexual abuse and exploitation of girls ‘head on’ in VAWG Strategy, charities warn
24 August 2025
News
IWF urges for ‘loophole’ to be closed in proposed EU laws criminalising AI child sexual abuse as synthetic videos make ‘huge leaps’ in sophistication
11 July 2025
News
EU Parliament leads the way in tackling AI-generated child sexual abuse material
08 July 2025
News
EU countries urged to have ‘courage’ and push for better laws to protect children at IWF’s Annual Report launch in Brussels
29 May 2025
News
UK Policy Work
We operate independently of government, but have a good working relationship with policymakers and advocate for legislation to make children safer online.
International Policy Work
How the IWF works on international policy to raise awareness of the issues relating to child sexual abuse imagery online.
