INHOPE’s 2025 Annual Report highlights key trends and developments in the fight against online child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Key developments:

Over 4.7 million suspected online records of CSAM identified and exchanged through ICCAM.
Sexual extortion, technology-facilitated exploitation and AI-generated content are on the rise.
2 new members were welcomed in 2025, expanding the network to 57 hotlines across 52 countries.

Opening
Address

2025 in a Nutshell

A Word From Our Executive Director

"INHOPE’s work is built on speed, trusted cooperation, and shared systems. In 2025, we continued to ensure that our 57 members across 52 countries were able to rapidly exchange reports through ICCAM, enabling national hotlines to act using established reporting pathways across jurisdictions."

"As volume increased and online harm continued to evolve last year, INHOPE focused on supporting its analysts, strengthening its technical infrastructure, and maintaining effective coordination across its global network. Together, these elements reinforce INHOPE’s role as a global leader in cross-border hotline cooperation against CSAM."

Key Data
Insights

Our data at-a-glance

Insights from a global hotline network

The data in the following section highlights the work of 57 INHOPE member hotlines across 52 countries. While CSAM content has been traced to 84 locations, harmful material appears in places where no local hotline exists - emphasising the urgent need to expand the network and ensure a rapid, effective response wherever it is needed.

A unified, standardised approach and a network of shared practices working together has never been more important. The impact of this approach is evident in our key data. Members are increasingly receiving reports from fellow hotlines rather than relying solely on citizen submissions, showing that tackling CSAM requires collaboration across the entire network. We know that the presence of a local INHOPE member makes a striking difference, reducing removal times from up to 41 days to as little as 1.4 days. The following data provides a closer look at the activity and trends across our network, highlighting both the impact of our members and the ongoing need to expand coverage worldwide

Hosting and distribution patterns

+450%

1,055,210
2024

4,781,125
2025

Total records exchanged in 2025

In 2025, there were over four million (4.781.125) suspected online records of CSAM identified and exchanged through INHOPE hotlines, more than 450% increase compared to 2024, when 1.055.210 records were reported. This figure represents the number of content URLs - meaning single images and/or videos - that were input into ICCAM.

Hover to explore.

+438%

737,780
2024

3,235,179
2025

Confirmed Illegal Records

An alarming trend is the increase in illegal records, which saw a 438% increase, from 737.780 records in 2024 to 3.235.179 in 2025. This represents 67% of all exchanged records in 2025, further emphasising the urgent need for stronger action against illegal material circulating online. 

Hover to explore.

43%
Netherlands

11%
Romania

9%
United States

5%
Russian Federation

5%
Vietnam

4%
Luxembourg

4%
Bulgaria

19%
Other countries

Where is suspected CSAM hosted?

INHOPE traced suspected online records of CSAM to 84 countries. The number of hosting countries reflects a small increase compared to 2024 (81 countries), but still marks a significant rise from 2020, when CSAM material was detected in only 49 countries. Efforts are currently underway to establish hotlines in targeted regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.

Note: Countries representing less than 3% each are grouped under “Other countries”.

Hover to explore.

36%
Netherlands

14%
Romania

11%
United States

7%
Russian Federation

6%
Luxembourg

5%
Bulgaria

3%
France

3%
Malaysia

15%
Other countries

Where is confirmed CSAM hosted?

The Netherlands, Romania, and the United States remain the top hosting countries for confirmed CSAM - showing stable illegal content patterns. The range of illegal and harmful online activities varies by country, shaping how reports are processed, as national laws differ on defining a "child" and what qualifies as CSAM. INHOPE works alongside policymakers, including the European Commission, to strengthen and expand notice and takedown procedures for child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), including content that may not meet the threshold of illegality under national law.

Countries representing less than 3% each are grouped under “Other countries”.

Hover to explore.

62%
Forum

22%
Website

14%
Image host

2%
File host

1%
Image

What types of online platforms hosted CSAM in 2025?

Forums accounted for 62% of all reports to INHOPE hotlines in 2025 – more than double their share in 2024 and now by far the primary location for CSAM distribution. In contrast, websites continued to decline, dropping to 22%, while image hosts fell to 14%, confirming a steady shift away from traditional hosting platforms.

Distribution data (also) includes proactive work from organisations following up on existing reports or searching for material according to their own direction.

Hover to explore.

Reporting patterns and demographics

91%
Pre-pubescent

8%
Pubescent

0%
Infant

What are the apparent ages of reported CSAM victims in 2025?

In 2025, pre-pubescent victims (ages 3 to 13) continued to make up the vast majority of CSAM cases at 91%, equal to 2024. Pubescent victims (ages 14 to 17) decreased to 6%, while infant and toddler victims declined slightly to 0,12%. Overall, the data shows CSAM remains concentrated among younger children.

Hover to explore.

98%
Female

1%
Male

1%
Both

What is the apparent sex of reported CSAM victims in 2025?

Female victims accounted for 98% of reported CSAM cases in 2025, up from 97% in 2024. Male victims made up 1%, continuing a downward trend, while cases involving both sexes were 1%, slightly higher than in 2024. Female victims remain overwhelmingly represented in CSAM reports.

Abuse of boys is likely underrepresented due to societal stigma, grooming tactics, and less frequent self-identification, suggesting the true prevalence may be closer to a more balanced gender distribution.

72%
Bulgaria

11%
Netherlands

10%
United Kingdom

Which countries processed the most suspected CSAM records?

In 2025, INHOPE member hotlines reported suspected online records of CSAM via the ICCAM platform in 42 countries.

76
Reported to HP

53
Reported to LEA

10
Content Removed

How many reports were processed within 24 hours?

Law enforcement agencies received 53% of URLs within one day, down from 72% in 2024, while reports taking longer than seven days increased to 23% from 4%, indicating delays likely linked to the prevalence of forum sites and uncooperative hosting locations. Internet service providers received 76% of URLs on the same day, up from 73% in 2024. Content removal was slower, with 10% of URLs removed within one day, 21% within 2-7 days, and 69% after more than seven days.

Hover to explore.

Note: Breakdowns are based on online records of CSAM sent to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) and/or Hosting Providers (HP), or removed from the internet. Figures are based on manually recorded data shared between members. Because logging is a lower priority, actual response times may be faster than shown.

Emerging
Trends

What our network is observing

Developments in Technology and Offender Behaviour

The INHOPE network continues to observe rapid shifts in the online environment surrounding CSAM.

Feedback from hotline analysts in 2025 indicates that offenders are adopting increasingly sophisticated technological methods, while report patterns across regions remain highly uneven. Although some hotlines experienced stable or slightly reduced volumes, many reported notable growth in cases linked to exploitation, synthetic media, and distribution tactics designed to evade detection. The following themes represent the most significant trends identified throughout the year.

Key developments

Trend #1

Most hotlines report sharp increase in realistic synthetic and Ai-generated imagery

Trend #2

Growing Use of Obfuscation Techniques

Offenders continue to rely on coded signals, redirects, and platform-specific behaviours to hide illegal material. Some content is optimised for smartphone use only, while others employ file formats less compatible with existing detection and hashing tools. These methods hinder both user-reporting and automated identification.

Trend #3

Increasing Severity and Diversification of CSAM

Hotlines noted a broader range of illegal content types, including voyeuristic recordings, animated or stylised depictions, customised AI-generated images, and non-nude but sexually suggestive virtual portrayals of minors. Several analysts also pointed to rising levels of violence within reported material and a small but noticeable increase in peer-to-peer abuse. 

Trend #4

Evolving distribution channels and hosting evasion are creating new challenges

Trend #5

Growth in technology-facilitated exploitation is driving reports via social platforms and messaging apps.

Trend #6

Expansion of Streaming, Mobile, and Hidden-Content Models

An increasing number of websites now function as streaming hubs or search-style interfaces that link to externally hosted CSAM. In some cases, access requires downloading a mobile application, indicating a shift toward app-based distribution networks. Analysts also reported more cases in which websites appeared harmless at first but contained extensive hidden CSAM when downloaded. This suggesets an evolution in how illegal content is concealed.

A Hotline in Every Country

The Value of Network Expansion

A global response to CSAM is only as effective as the coverage behind it.

Each additional hotline strengthens the system by connecting countries and regions to international reporting and cooperation mechanisms, closing gaps and enabling country level leadership and ownership of the issue at the same time as supporting a more balanced global response where responsibility is shared. By expanding into new countries, INHOPE supports local ownership of reporting and assessment while reinforcing cross-border collaboration, improving the speed and consistency of action against CSAM, and strengthening protection for children online. In 2025, this approach translated into tangible progress in expanding and strengthening the network.

Growing our Network

New Members We Welcomed in 2025

In 2025 the INHOPE network welcomed three new members.

Youth Cultural Promotion Association (YOCUPA)

Established in response to rising CSAM levels on Zambian social media, YOCUPA joined the network through cooperation with fellow INHOPE member ACSAI Nigeria. YOCUPA became INHOPE's third African member.

Autoriteit online Terroristisch en Kinderpornografisch Materiaal (ATKM)

ATKM joined INHOPE as a provisional member in 2024. This Dutch regulator brings a unique dual mandate, combating both CSAM and terrorist content online, with authority to order service providers to remove illegal material.

ANC-AD

Andorra Digital launched its first CSAM reporting hotline in July 2025 after joining INHOPE, strengthening child protection and expanding the network's reach across smaller European jurisdictions.

Expanding our Reach

Strengthening Sustainable Network Growth

Beyond welcoming new members, INHOPE continued to strengthen the foundations for sustainable network growth in 2025. Through its Regional Chapters, INHOPE brings together hotlines from the same geographic area to share knowledge and coordinate action.

Chapters in the Indo-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa played a key role in supporting both existing and aspiring hotlines through regular meetings focused on regional trends, cross-border cooperation, and national recognition. The Indo-Pacific Chapter now unites eight hotlines, while Latin American members continue to collaborate across four countries.

The NetEx team provided hands-on guidance to organisations preparing for membership, including support for Educo Bolivia and engagement with partners in Iceland. Bi-annual African regional meetings brought together current and prospective hotlines, to exchange experiences and explore joint funding opportunities. These efforts reflect INHOPE's commitment to building long-term capacity, ensuring more countries are equipped to respond effectively to online CSAM.

Milestones
& Achievements

Strengthening our foundations

Technology, Training & Community

In 2025, INHOPE invested in the foundations that keep the network strong, advancing training, technology, and regional collaboration to build a more skilled, connected, and resilient global community.

Milestone #1

Four New Training Modules

INHOPE launched four new training modules in 2025, covering ICCAM, ReportBox 2.0, ICAP sites, and analyst wellbeing, expanding the network's capacity to address emerging threats and prioritise analyst welfare.

Milestone #2

Network-Wide Training Engagement

59 analysts participated in Basic CORE Training in 2025, with 21 achieving certification, reflecting strong network-wide engagement and a growing pool of skilled hotline professionals.

Milestone #3

Peer to Peer Exchanges

INHOPE organised seven Peer-to-Peer exchange visits across Europe, funded by the EU CERV programme, bringing together analysts from 13 hotlines. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 75% rating the programme very good and 25% good.

Milestone #4

June Members Meeting & AGM

55 member hotlines convened in Amsterdam to define strategic priorities, vote on key network matters, and engage in workshops on risk management, fundraising, and best practices.

Milestone #5

December Members Meeting & Data Exchange and Intelligence Forum

Hosted at Europol in The Hague, the December meeting combined the AGM with the Data Exchange and Intelligence Forum, uniting members and cross-sector stakeholders to strengthen knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Milestone #6

ICCAM Migration 3.0

INHOPE completed its first major ICCAM migration in a decade, delivering a scalable, community-driven platform built to handle growing report volumes, diverse legal mandates, and an evolving regulatory landscape.

Making an impact together

Advocacy, Awareness & Action

In 2025, INHOPE strengthened its external presence through impactful events, campaigns, and collaborations, bringing together experts, partners, and the public in the shared mission to combat online CSAM.

Milestone #1

A new INHOPE website

INHOPE refreshed its website to better showcase the global network of member hotlines and make it easier for the public to find their national hotline. The landing page highlights the network’s reach and key activities, helping visitors understand how INHOPE works to protect children online.

Milestone #2

Expert Insights Webinars

INHOPE hosted four unique webinars covering key topics in child online safety, sponsored by our long-standing partner Resolver.

Milestone #3

INHOPE Summit

The 2025 INHOPE Summit, hosted by Google in Washington D.C., united over 300 participants in person and virtually to explore collaborative strategies to combat the hybridisation of digital crimes.

Milestone #4

Data Exchange & Intelligence Forum

120 experts from hotlines, law enforcement, industry, and public authorities convened at Europol for the third Data Exchange & Intelligence Forum, united around the critical role of trusted information-sharing in combating online CSAM.

Milestone #5

The Universal Classification Schema Website

INHOPE launched a dedicated website for the Universal Classification Schema, a global standard supporting governments, law enforcement, and NGOs in classifying and responding to CSAM.

Milestone #6

Hotline of the Month Campaign

Each month, one INHOPE member hotline was spotlighted, showcasing their important work and the impact of the network worldwide

Shaping the regulatory landscape

Policy, Partnerships & Progress

In 2025, INHOPE advanced its advocacy at EU level, contributing to landmark legislative developments that strengthened the recognition and mandate of hotlines in the fight against online CSAM.

Milestone #1

Framework Partnership Agreement

INHOPE secured a new three-year agreement with the European Commission under the EU CERV programme, ensuring continued investment in member capacity building and public awareness.

Milestone #2

CSAM Regulation

In November 2025, EU Member States reached a common position on the CSAM Regulation, advancing the proposal toward final negotiations and the establishment of an EU Centre on CSA.

Milestone #3

Recast CSEA Directive

The European Parliament formally recognised hotlines in its June 2025 position on the Recast CSEA Directive, proposing stronger legal frameworks and clearer mandates for hotlines across EU Member States.

Milestone #4

Trusted Flagger Status

By end of 2025, 11 INHOPE member hotlines had been awarded trusted flagger status under the Digital Services Act, across Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden.

The Value of Long-Term Partnerships

Thank you to all our partners.

INHOPE is proud to be part of a diverse, cross-sector ecosystem of partners and collaborators whose support makes our work possible. These trusted relationships are central to who we are and how we operate, enabling us to work collectively towards a digital world free of CSAM. Their support allows us to strengthen training and capacity building for our members, expand our network into high-risk regions, and bring the child online safety community together through shared learning and collaboration.

A Word From Our Current Partners

"At Snap, nothing is more important than the safety of our community. We are committed to protecting young people and everyone on Snapchat, and are honored to partner with and support INHOPE in fighting child sexual exploitation and abuse globally"

Jacqueline Beauchere,
Global Head of Platform Safety at Snap Inc.

“At Google, protecting children online is an all-hands-on-deck effort. We are grateful for INHOPE’s global hotline expertise and innovative initiatives, and proud to support them in combating online child sexual abuse and exploitation worldwide.”

Emily Cashman Kirstein,
Child Safety Public Policy Lead at Google

"TikTok continues to aggressively fight child exploitation and abuse, and as online threats grow in sophistication, we are proud to partner with INHOPE and their global network to further protect young people and keep our platform free from this abhorrent material."

Sandeep Grover,
Head of Trust & Safety, TikTok

Deepening our partnership network

Celebrating New and Strengthened Partnerships

Over the past year, we welcomed new partners and strengthened existing relationships, with many choosing to increase their support during a critical time. We are deeply grateful to every partner who stood with INHOPE and helped drive meaningful impact for child online safety.

Block Inc.

We're proud to partner with Block, whose technical expertise, commitment to safety by design, and active contributions to cross-sector collaboration make them a vital ally in the fight against online child sexual abuse.

Binance

We're proud to welcome Binance as a Platinum partner, whose expertise in cryptocurrency compliance and financial intelligence brings essential capabilities to disrupting the monetisation of online child sexual abuse.

Verisign

We're grateful to welcome Verisign as a funding partner, whose support strengthens our ability to combat online child sexual abuse and protect children in the digital world.

Resolver

We're grateful for Resolver's continued and growing support, whose commitment to online safety innovation has made them a valued long-term partner in our mission to protect children online.

Tether

We're proud to deepen our partnership with Tether, whose expanded diamond-level commitment provides the long-term financial support needed to strengthen hotline capacity, improve cross-border cooperation, and build durable systems that protect children online.

Closing Notes

Looking Ahead

A Year of Progress in the Fight Against CSAM

The data in this report tells a story of scale, complexity, and urgency. But it also tells a story of progress, of a network that grew stronger, adapted to new threats, and refused to slow down even in difficult times.

As we move into 2026, INHOPE remains committed to expanding its reach, deepening collaboration, and ensuring that every child, in every country, is better protected online. That mission depends on stable, diversified support from industry partners, national governments, and the European Union, and we will continue to advocate for the funding structures that keep this critical infrastructure strong. The work is far from over. But with our network, our partners, and our shared mission, we face the road ahead with clarity and resolve. Together, we are making the internet safer for children, one report, one hotline, one partnership at a time.

Cookies

This website requires the use of cookies to function properly. To learn more, please refer to our cookie policies.

Annual Report

2025

Introducing the INHOPE Annual Report in a new digital at-a-glance format.

INHOPE’s 2025 Annual Report highlights key trends and developments in the fight against online child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Table of contents

Opening Address

2025 in a Nutshell

Key Data Insights

Our data at-a-glance

Emerging Trends

What our network is observing

Our Network

Working Together

Milestones & Achievements

Strengthening our foundations

Our Partners

Making Our Work Possible

Closing Notes

Looking Ahead

Opening Address

2025 in a Nutshell

A Word From Our Executive Director

Letter from the President

Get to know our Board

Key Data Insights

Our data at-a-glance

Insights from a global hotline network

Hosting and distribution patterns

Total records exchanged in 2025

Confirmed Illegal Records

Where is suspected CSAM hosted?

Where is confirmed CSAM hosted?

What types of online platforms hosted CSAM in 2025?

Tracking CSAM trends globally

Reporting patterns and demographics

What are the apparent ages of reported CSAM victims in 2025?

What is the apparent sex of reported CSAM victims in 2025?

Which countries processed the most suspected CSAM records?

How many reports were processed within 24 hours?

Emerging Trends

What our network is observing

Developments in Technology and Offender Behaviour

Key developments

Most hotlines report sharp increase in realistic synthetic and Ai-generated imagery

Growing Use of Obfuscation Techniques

Increasing Severity and Diversification of CSAM

Evolving distribution channels and hosting evasion are creating new challenges

Growth in technology-facilitated exploitation is driving reports via social platforms and messaging apps.

Expansion of Streaming, Mobile, and Hidden-Content Models

Our Network

Working Together

A Hotline in Every Country

The Value of Network Expansion

Growing our Network

New Members We Welcomed in 2025

Youth Cultural Promotion Association (YOCUPA)

Autoriteit online Terroristisch en Kinderpornografisch Materiaal (ATKM)

ANC-AD

Expanding our Reach

Strengthening Sustainable Network Growth

Milestones & Achievements

Strengthening our foundations

Technology, Training & Community

Four New Training Modules INHOPE launched four new training modules in 2025, covering ICCAM, ReportBox 2.0, ICAP sites, and analyst wellbeing, expanding the network's capacity to address emerging threats and prioritise analyst welfare.

Network-Wide Training Engagement 59 analysts participated in Basic CORE Training in 2025, with 21 achieving certification, reflecting strong network-wide engagement and a growing pool of skilled hotline professionals.

Peer to Peer Exchanges INHOPE organised seven Peer-to-Peer exchange visits across Europe, funded by the EU CERV programme, bringing together analysts from 13 hotlines. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 75% rating the programme very good and 25% good.

June Members Meeting & AGM 55 member hotlines convened in Amsterdam to define strategic priorities, vote on key network matters, and engage in workshops on risk management, fundraising, and best practices.

December Members Meeting & Data Exchange and Intelligence Forum Hosted at Europol in The Hague, the December meeting combined the AGM with the Data Exchange and Intelligence Forum, uniting members and cross-sector stakeholders to strengthen knowledge sharing and collaboration.

ICCAM Migration 3.0 INHOPE completed its first major ICCAM migration in a decade, delivering a scalable, community-driven platform built to handle growing report volumes, diverse legal mandates, and an evolving regulatory landscape.

Making an impact together

Advocacy, Awareness & Action

Expert Insights Webinars INHOPE hosted four unique webinars covering key topics in child online safety, sponsored by our long-standing partner Resolver.

INHOPE Summit The 2025 INHOPE Summit, hosted by Google in Washington D.C., united over 300 participants in person and virtually to explore collaborative strategies to combat the hybridisation of digital crimes.

Data Exchange & Intelligence Forum 120 experts from hotlines, law enforcement, industry, and public authorities convened at Europol for the third Data Exchange & Intelligence Forum, united around the critical role of trusted information-sharing in combating online CSAM.

The Universal Classification Schema Website INHOPE launched a dedicated website for the Universal Classification Schema, a global standard supporting governments, law enforcement, and NGOs in classifying and responding to CSAM.

Hotline of the Month Campaign Each month, one INHOPE member hotline was spotlighted, showcasing their important work and the impact of the network worldwide

Shaping the regulatory landscape

Policy, Partnerships & Progress

Framework Partnership Agreement INHOPE secured a new three-year agreement with the European Commission under the EU CERV programme, ensuring continued investment in member capacity building and public awareness.

CSAM Regulation In November 2025, EU Member States reached a common position on the CSAM Regulation, advancing the proposal toward final negotiations and the establishment of an EU Centre on CSA.

Opening
Address

Key Data
Insights

Emerging
Trends

Our
Network

Milestones
& Achievements

Four New Training Modules

INHOPE launched four new training modules in 2025, covering ICCAM, ReportBox 2.0, ICAP sites, and analyst wellbeing, expanding the network's capacity to address emerging threats and prioritise analyst welfare.

Network-Wide Training Engagement

59 analysts participated in Basic CORE Training in 2025, with 21 achieving certification, reflecting strong network-wide engagement and a growing pool of skilled hotline professionals.

Peer to Peer Exchanges

INHOPE organised seven Peer-to-Peer exchange visits across Europe, funded by the EU CERV programme, bringing together analysts from 13 hotlines. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 75% rating the programme very good and 25% good.

June Members Meeting & AGM

55 member hotlines convened in Amsterdam to define strategic priorities, vote on key network matters, and engage in workshops on risk management, fundraising, and best practices.

December Members Meeting & Data Exchange and Intelligence Forum

Hosted at Europol in The Hague, the December meeting combined the AGM with the Data Exchange and Intelligence Forum, uniting members and cross-sector stakeholders to strengthen knowledge sharing and collaboration.

ICCAM Migration 3.0

INHOPE completed its first major ICCAM migration in a decade, delivering a scalable, community-driven platform built to handle growing report volumes, diverse legal mandates, and an evolving regulatory landscape.

Expert Insights Webinars

INHOPE hosted four unique webinars covering key topics in child online safety, sponsored by our long-standing partner Resolver.

INHOPE Summit

The 2025 INHOPE Summit, hosted by Google in Washington D.C., united over 300 participants in person and virtually to explore collaborative strategies to combat the hybridisation of digital crimes.

Data Exchange & Intelligence Forum

120 experts from hotlines, law enforcement, industry, and public authorities convened at Europol for the third Data Exchange & Intelligence Forum, united around the critical role of trusted information-sharing in combating online CSAM.

The Universal Classification Schema Website

INHOPE launched a dedicated website for the Universal Classification Schema, a global standard supporting governments, law enforcement, and NGOs in classifying and responding to CSAM.

Hotline of the Month Campaign

Each month, one INHOPE member hotline was spotlighted, showcasing their important work and the impact of the network worldwide

Framework Partnership Agreement

INHOPE secured a new three-year agreement with the European Commission under the EU CERV programme, ensuring continued investment in member capacity building and public awareness.

CSAM Regulation

In November 2025, EU Member States reached a common position on the CSAM Regulation, advancing the proposal toward final negotiations and the establishment of an EU Centre on CSA.

Recast CSEA Directive

The European Parliament formally recognised hotlines in its June 2025 position on the Recast CSEA Directive, proposing stronger legal frameworks and clearer mandates for hotlines across EU Member States.

Trusted Flagger Status

By end of 2025, 11 INHOPE member hotlines had been awarded trusted flagger status under the Digital Services Act, across Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden.

Our
Partners