Privacy, Security & Virus Information

How to report illegal, or offensive material on websites

Reporting illegal, or offensive material on websites is a worthy thing to do, but wanting a definite result from your actions - say getting a web-site taken down - is a far more difficult ambition.

Much stems from the fact that web-sites can be created and operated from anywhere in the globe, so, the problem of jurisdiction is a big one. It is thought that only 17% of offensive online material originates from the U.K. And for the U.K police to become involved, a number of criteria has to be met which, in many cases, are broad enough to try and cover many conditions.

Firstly, the U.K. police can get involved if the web-site material was created by people in this country. Okay, that's pretty limiting, but other criteria give the police a chance, especially if the content in question has been downloaded onto computers in the U.K. Or, if the content provides evidence of crimes committed in the U.K., or, if it provides evidence of crimes committed by those citizens of the U.K travelling overseas.

But, although there is some scope, the problem still remains as to where web-sites are created and run. And, a further problem is that what might appear offensive to one person, is not actually illegal. You can certainly claim it is illegal, and you might regard it as obscene, or offensive, but the law might not agree with you. But, if you feel you have spotted something that is worthy of attention, then your first, and really only port of call, is the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).

The IWF was formed in 1996 and is a non-statutory body which works together with a number of government departments, and brings together the major internet firms and the police. Funding comes from the European Community and the internet industry.

It's job is simple: it processes complaints from the public, or companies, regarding illegal, or obscene web content, and then, if the complaint is considered of merit, it tells the internet service providers (ISPs) and the police.

It focusses on U.K. hosted content, including criminally obscene and racial hatred incitement material, and wherever in the world, child abuse images.

You can inform the IWF though their Hotline reporting mechanism which caters for individuals and professionals in IT (visit www.iwf.org.uk for further information). IWF supports ISPs with their 'notice and take-down' service; a pro-active method of helping to remove offensive material from the internet.

So, if you think that something should not be on internet, get hold of the IWF and see what they can do.

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