Josh Thomas

EXC: Science Secretary Peter Kyle on a visit to the incredible IWF tells me: “I’ve seen today the most depraved aspects of humanity, but been moved and inspired by these people who dedicate their lives to making children who’ve been exploited safe.”

www.thesun.co.uk/news/3387343...

Children in UK as young as 11 targeted by sextortion criminals, data reveals Internet Watch Foundation says ‘worrying’ trend shows criminals are casting their nets wider to trap victims • Our son was targeted by sextortionist online – here’s what we did Children as young as 11 to 13 are being targeted by sextortion criminals for…

Children in UK as young as 11 targeted by sextortion criminals, data reveals

Bluesky boosts safety tools as user numbers continue to rise The social media site has seen its user numbers more than double between November and January as users continue to flee Elon Musk’s X.

Great to see growing platforms like @bsky.app joining the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to combat child sexual abuse imagery. Building in child safety early is crucial to creating safer spaces and designing out harms.
www.independent.co.uk/space/intern...

AI-generated child sex abuse images targeted with new laws Yvette Cooper says the UK will make it illegal to own AI tools to make images of child sexual abuse.

With new rules set to be introduced - why is AI child sexual abuse such a threat?
"It emboldens & encourages abusers & makes real children less safe," says the Internet Watch Foundation Interim CEO, Derek Ray-Hill. "These measures are a vital starting point."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

⚠️ Internet Watch Foundation reports “worst year on record” for child sexual abuse material online.

Loopholes in @ofcom.bsky.social's codes allow companies to evade the UK’s online safety regime, harming children. This cannot continue.

We back IWF's call to strengthen Ofcom's codes of practice.

Starmer urged to close online child sex abuse loopholes The Internet Watch Foundation revealed 2024 was the worst year on record for online child sexual abuse imagery.

Today, the Internet Watch Foundation is calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to intervene as new data reveals record levels of online child sexual abuse. Gaping loopholes in current rules mean they will be ineffective without urgent action.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Panorama - Telegram and the Russian Billionaire Reporter Bronagh Munro investigates how the Telegram app, owned by Russian billionaire Pavel Durov, can be used to spread harmful and dangerous content.

"I don't think Telegram or any platform can, or should, hide behind the claim of privacy to allow illegal activity, particularly the sexual abuse of children. It's just not acceptable,"
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) CTO Dan Sexton tells BBC Panorama.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Mum of paedo cop hid phone in cat's GRAVE in twisted bid to cover vile crimes THE mum of a paedo cop buried her son’s phone with her dead cat in a twisted bid to cover his sick crimes. Lewis Edwards, 25, previously of Cefn Glas, Bridgend, used Snapchat to groom more th…

The IWF see the results of this sort of offending every day.

"Edwards' selfishness in trying to cover his own tracks with schemes involving his own family is in stark contrast to how little he cares about those children who suffered as a result of his actions."
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3236600...

Telegram U-turns and joins global child safety scheme It is the latest in a series of changes announced by the platform since its founder Pavel Durov was arrested.

A significant moment for online safety as Telegram joins the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in cracking down on child sexual abuse imagery on the platform.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Professor Will See You Now: Whatever In an occasional series, Professor Philip Cowley offers a political science lesson for The House’s readers. This week: whatever

“It’s easy to condemn someone from the other lot and easy to find excuses when it is one of your own”
✍️ @philipjcowley.bsky.social

The most infuriating thing isn’t that Wales is treated as a non-country – it’s that we accept it | Will Hayward From the the Barnett formula to the humiliation of having an English ‘Prince of Wales’, you’d never catch Scotland allowing this treatment, says Guardian columnist Will Hayward

...there is a responsibility that comes with Welshness to engage with our country and demand better. Even if that involves the least Welsh of all actions – causing a fuss" an excellent summary of the Welsh condition by @willhaycardiff.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Wow. Here is one to brighten up your morning. The first images of the restored interior of Notre Dame cathedral. Breathtaking. In just five years France did it

How can children be protected from online sextortion fraud? Criminals are tricking young people into sending intimate images, then demanding money. Experts explain how to deal with these attacks

Right now - criminals are targeting children, thousands of them, online. They are ruining lives by extorting sexual imagery & blackmailing them for money. BUT there are ways parents & trusted adults can help the children in their lives. Please read!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/arti...

Rise in AI and ‘nudification’ apps aiding child abuse deepfakes Schools are struggling to keep up with technology helping predators target children, while more pupils than ever are accessing sexual content on their devices

“We have really seen AI image-generators become much more sophisticated, to the point where almost anyone can make or manipulate lifelike sexual or nude imagery of children at the click of a button," warns Internet Watch Foundation Chair Catherine Brown.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...