INHOPEInternational Association of Internet Hotlines.

Who is INHOPE?

INHOPE is the International Association of Internet Hotlines. INHOPE coordinates a network of Internet Hotlines all over the world, supporting them in responding to reports of illegal content to make the Internet safer. 

What is a Hotline?

INHOPE Hotlines offer the public a way of anonymously reporting Internet material including child sexual abuse material they suspect to be illegal. The Hotline will ensure that the matter is investigated and if found to be illegal the information will be passed to the relevant Law Enforcement Agency and in many cases the Internet Service Provider hosting the content.

What type of material or activities can I report?

The definition of an illegal content varies from country to country – a Hotline will work within the legislation of the country where they operate. All Hotlines take reports of child sexual abuse material (child pornography) and cover other areas such as hate speech and grooming. Some hotlines also take reports about websites encouraging self harm and other topics. Check with your national Hotline for a full description of the type of content that they handle reports on and what is illegal in your country.

Can I report anonymously?

The majority of INHOPE hotlines allow reporters the ability to report anonymously if required. Check the website of the relevant Hotline for their regulations around reporting

Where can I find the INHOPE Code of Practice & what is it?

The INHOPE Code of Practice sets out how a Hotline will handle / process a report. To view this Click here

How can I make a report?

To make a report you fill in the online form on the relevant Hotline website. Click here to choose the country where you want to make a report. Once you choose the country click through for the reporting page for the hotline.

What happens when I make a report?

Every report made to an INHOPE Hotline is analysed by the Content Analyst to assess whether or not the website is classed as illegal. If found to be illegal the source will then be traced. If the reported content is hosted in the same country then the relevant information will be sent by the Hotline to national law enforcement and the Internet Service Provider depending on the national laws. If it is hosted in another country the report will be sent to the INHOPE Hotline in that country. The website will then be reported to the law enforcement agency in that country and / or the ISP in that country as appropriate.

What do I do if there are no hotlines in my country?

If you have found an illegal website but do not have a Hotline in your country there are two options. You can report this to your national police force, or if you think you know the country where the website is hosted and there is a hotline in that country, you can report it to them.

Will I find out if the website is removed?

Due to the volume of reports received by Hotlines it is not always possible to update individual reporters. In addition, any reports that start a full police investigation will require confidentiality on behalf of the Hotline. Also as most reports recieved by Hotlines are anonymous it is in most cases not possible to advise the reporter.

Where can I find out more information about staying safe online?

There are lots of resources online that offer tips for internet users about keeping themselves and their families safe online. For the best advice visit the INSAFE website at www.saferinternet.org