If you have found a website or activity on the Internet you suspect to be illegal, don't ignore it, make a report to your National INHOPE Hotline
What is INHOPE?
INHOPE is the International Association of Internet Hotlines and was founded in 1999 under the EC Safer Internet Action Plan. At the moment there are 28 INHOPE hotlines in 25 countries around the world and new members are joining all the time. If your country is not listed, but you think you know where the website is hosted, please report to the hotline in that country instead. Your hotline will conduct a full investigation on the content and take the necessary action in line with national legislation
What is illegal content?
The definition of illegal content varies from country to country as it relies on national legislation. The differences between what is illegal and what is harmful is at the forefront of every assessment performed by the hotline. To assist internet users in reporting illegal content, below is a list of some of the most common types of illegal content found on the internet:
- Child pornography images and websites
- Illegal activity in chat rooms (e.g. grooming)
- Online hate & xenophobia websites
What can I do to safeguard against harmful content?
Respect warning messages displayed by Service Provides to protect users e.g. age restrictions in chat rooms, legal provisions when you are using your credit card online or giving private information. Safety guidelines are written to protect users- read and follow them. The best solution is to act prudently.
Child pornography:
According to the Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention, the term "child pornography" shall include pornographic material that visually depicts:
- a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct
- a person appearing to be a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct
- realistic images representing a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Racist & xenophobic material:
According to the Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, "racist and xenophobic material" means any written material, any image or any other representation of ideas or theories, which advocates, promotes or incites hatred, discrimination or violence, against any individual or group of individuals, based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, as well as religion if used as a pretext for any of these factors.
