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Global initiative sends 70 million CSAM warning messages
Over the past two years, more than 70 million alert messages have been delivered to individuals attempting to access child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, according to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. The warnings, part of Project Intercept, aim to deter illegal behavior and guide users toward support services.
How the system works
Unlike traditional content-blocking methods, Project Intercept sends real-time messages highlighting the illegality of viewing CSAM. These alerts direct users to Stop It Now, a confidential resource offering self-help tools and advice. The initiative operates across 131 countries and spans various platforms, including end-to-end encrypted services and AI chatbots.
Engagement and effectiveness
The foundation reported that nearly 700,000 individuals accessed Stop It Now resources after receiving warnings-a figure critics describe as modest given the scale of the problem. Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics noted that while only a fraction of recipients sought help, those who did showed high engagement.
"Given that 70 million warning messages have been sent, the fact that only 700,000 people click through to get support seems low. This is disappointing, given that the scale of the problem of child sexual abuse imagery online is growing fast."
Professor Sonia Livingstone, Director of Digital Futures for Children
Data from 2024 and 2025 revealed an average of 28,000 monthly redirects to support materials, with over 80% of users continuing to interact with the content. However, long-term behavior change metrics remain unpublished.
Industry and regulator response
Deborah Denis, CEO of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, emphasized the project's potential to disrupt harmful behavior at critical moments. The NSPCC acknowledged the role of such interventions but stressed the need for broader measures to prevent CSAM creation and distribution.
Emma Hardy of the Internet Watch Foundation called for "innovative solutions" to address gaps in encrypted platforms, urging tech companies to prioritize safety by design. Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, noted that warning systems align with expectations under the Online Safety Act, though challenges persist.
Tech company involvement
Major platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok participate in Project Intercept. Google reported that early 2025 updates increased engagement with therapeutic services and reduced repeat searches for illegal material. Mega, an encrypted cloud storage provider, countered the notion that privacy-focused services cannot intervene in harmful behavior.
"By placing warnings at the moment harmful behaviour is happening, we can disrupt it and divert people towards help to change."
Deborah Denis, CEO of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation
Ongoing challenges
The foundation did not disclose how many unique users triggered the warnings. Experts argue that while the system shows promise, it must be part of a multi-pronged strategy to combat CSAM proliferation.
