INHOPE, the International Association of Internet hotlines (*), represents and co-ordinates a global network of hotlines. A statistical analysis of the reports received by the INHOPE network over a 28 month period has resulted in the first detailed analysis of illegal activity on the internet.

The INHOPE hotline network has processed, and continues to process, a huge volume of reports about illegal, harmful and not-illegal content on the internet and has, as a result, created a dynamic (time-sensitive) chart of the downside sectors of the internet. This report is the first step towards a global action plan to eradicate illegal activity from the internet. It is a landmark publication for policy makers, governments and Industry.

Cormac Callanan, co author, stated that “the INHOPE trend report represents a major milestone in the work of INHOPE and the history of the Internet”. Nikos Frydas, co author of the report explained that “INHOPE hotlines collect reports about illegal and harmful content in over 25 countries around the world. INHOPE is now in the unique position to accurately describe the illegal and harmful sectors of the internet.”

Statistics for the period September 2004 – December 2006 show:

INHOPE network received 900,000 reports from the general public

In total INHOPE processed 1.9 million reports

160,000 reports forwarded to law enforcement agencies for action – an average of 5,800 per month

21% of all processed reports were about illegal or harmful content (20,000 per month)

50% of these contained child pornography

19% of these contained other child-related content

28% of these contained adult pornography

Child Pornography grew by 15% per year

Adult Pornography grew by 24% per year

Racism and Xenophobia grew by 33% per year

When illegal content such as child pornography is reported to a hotline it is not unusual for it to transcend traditional national boundaries. www.inhope.org is the only centralised portal where the public can report illegal and harmful use of the internet. There are now 28 member hotlines in 25 countries worldwide.

For further information please contact kerry.gordon@inhope.org

About INHOPE:

The mission of INHOPE is to support and enhance the performance of Internet Hotlines around the World, ensuring swift action is taken in responding to reports of illegal action, making the internet a safer place.

The INHOPE Association of Internet Hotlines, co-ordinated from Ireland, was founded in 1999. Hotlines monitor the internet and it is where the general public can report illegal internet content such as child pornography. The hotline confidentially then reviews each report, referring illegal material onto law enforcement agencies, such as Law Enforcement or Internet Service Providers for further action.

Today, there are twenty eight members of INHOPE worldwide, including members from Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. Through meeting regularly to share knowledge and best practice, INHOPE and its members are working to tackle the global problem of illegal content online – and succeeding. INHOPE is part funded by the EC Safer Internet Action Programme and Microsoft