Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the Internet Watch Foundation has the necessary legal powers and authority to remove non-photographic child sexual abuse images, in particular Manga and CGI-based material, as defined by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, on (1) UK hosted, and (2) non-UK hosted, internet sites.

This Government is committed to eradicating online child sexual exploitation and that includes working with organisations like the Internet Watch Foundation. The IWF has no legal powers. It is a self-regulatory body but is the recognised UK authority in issuing notices to remove criminal child sexual abuse content.

The IWF addresses reports concerning non-photographic images when they are hosted on UK websites where such images are believed to be criminal and are depicted on a website hosted in the UK, they will work in partnership with the hosting provider and NCA-CEOP to remove the content and provide information to assist investigations into its distribution.

The IWF operates as a point of expertise for advice to their members on whether such images on their networks are potentially criminal and should be considered for investigation by the police.

If the site is outside the UK, it is reported by the NCA to the host country via Interpol channels to take appropriate action.