Internet Watch Foundation

This section relates to the Child Sexual Abuse Images and Content (CAIC) URL Service as supplied to members of the IWF. It should be read inline with the IWF main complaints policy and any other material relating to IWF official procedures.

Internet Watch Foundation Child Sexual Abuse Images and Content URL service complaints, appeals and correction procedures

The IWF manages and controls a list of URLs which have been assessed by IWF Internet Content Analysts (ICAs) as potentially illegal in accordance with the Protection of Children Act 1978, as amended, and the Sex Offences Act 2003 legislation. This list is known as the Child Sexual Abuse Images and Content URL Service (CAIC)

The CAIC list is made available on a licence basis to organisations for their use in filtering and blocking services within their sphere of operations.

If any party responsible for the hosting or content of a URL within the CAIC list complains, appeals or makes representations about the accuracy of the content assessment and inclusion on the list then the following procedure will apply. 

ALL other enquiries regarding access to online content should be referred to your ISP: 

1. The matter will be referred to a relevant member of the senior management team and the Hotline Manager, who is personally responsible for invoking and complying with the reassessment process.
2.  The relevant member of the senior management team will record the complaint and delegate the reassessment to the Hotline Manager providing the Hotline Manager wasn’t party to the original decision. If that were the case then the relevant member of the senior management team will arrange the reassessment process by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Team (CEOP) or the Paedophile Unit of the Metropolitan Police.
3. The Hotline Manager will revisit the website and reassess the content at that time and take into account any evidence retained from the original assessment and decision making process against the relevant legislation.
   a.  IWF will also refer the appeal to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Team (CEOP) or the Paedophile Unit of the Metropolitan Police, for an independent assessment.
4. If, after due consideration by all involved, the material is still considered to be in breach of the relevant legislation the complainant will be informed accordingly.
5. If the content is no longer considered to breach the relevant legislation the URL will be removed from the Serivice list and all subscribing organisations will be notified of its withdrawal.
6. If the complainant appeals against the reassessment decision the assessment on whether the content is potentially illegal according to the relevant UK legislation made by senior managers in CEOP or the Metropolitan Police will be final.

If you wish to complain please email complaints@iwf.org.uk including: