More than 70 million warnings sent to people seeking child abuse material
Project Intercept’s Global Impact
More than 70 million warnings sent – The Lucy Faithfull Foundation has reported that over 70 million warning messages have been distributed to individuals attempting to access child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online in the past two years. This initiative, known as Project Intercept, operates as a collaboration between the child protection charity and major technology companies such as Google, TikTok, and Meta. Rather than immediately blocking content, the system delivers alerts to users, educating them on the legal implications of viewing CSAM and offering pathways to behavioral change through targeted support services.
How the Warnings Work
The approach emphasizes awareness over restriction, aiming to inform users about the harm their actions may cause. The foundation highlighted that nearly 700,000 individuals have since accessed its Stop It Now resources, which provide confidential advice and self-guided tools to help users reconsider their behavior. While this figure is notable, some experts argue it is underwhelming, especially considering the rapid expansion of online child sexual abuse imagery. “With 70 million warnings dispatched, the fact that only 700,000 people follow up with support feels low,” noted Sonia Livingstone, director of the Digital Futures for Children centre at London School of Economics. “This suggests there is still significant room for improvement, given the accelerating scale of the issue.”
Expanding the Reach
Project Intercept spans 131 countries, targeting a wide array of digital platforms. These include end-to-end encrypted services, such as messaging apps where only the sender and recipient can view content, as well as AI-driven chatbot environments. The initiative’s adaptability to different online spaces underscores its goal of addressing harmful behavior wherever it occurs. Despite these efforts, the foundation has not disclosed how many unique users initiated the searches, focusing instead on the overall engagement with the support materials.
According to the foundation, the number of users redirected to its resources has been consistently high, averaging 28,000 per month in 2024 and 2025. However, the organization has not shared data on long-term behavior modification, leaving questions about the sustainability of these interventions. Deborah Denis, the foundation’s chief executive, emphasized the potential of the system to prevent harm by intercepting users at the moment they seek out illegal material. “By inserting warnings during the act of harmful behavior, we can intervene and guide individuals toward change,” she explained. “The methodology is scalable, and we believe it can be expanded further to maximize its impact.”
The Need for Broader Measures
While Project Intercept is praised for its proactive approach, child protection advocates stress that it must be part of a larger strategy. The NSPCC, a leading UK children’s charity, acknowledged the role of such interventions but urged for more comprehensive solutions. “These initiatives are crucial for stopping harmful behavior, but they should complement other measures aimed at preventing the creation and sharing of illegal content,” the organization stated. Emma Hardy of the Internet Watch Foundation added that encrypted platforms, often seen as safe havens for harmful material, require innovative tools to address the issue effectively.
“Encrypted services are frequently assumed to be impervious to early intervention, but Project Intercept challenges that notion,” Hardy said. “The ease with which child sexual abuse imagery can be shared and distributed online means children are increasingly vulnerable to cycles of exploitation. Safety by design must be a priority, ensuring new technologies include safeguards against such content.” She called for a reevaluation of current systems to close gaps in protection.
Regulatory Framework
The communications regulator Ofcom has endorsed warning messages as a key component of its requirements under the UK’s Online Safety Act. Almudena Lara, the charity’s child protection policy director, described the data as a testament to both progress and the persistence of the problem. “The numbers demonstrate that the system is functional for those who are motivated to seek help, yet they also highlight the vastness of the challenge that remains,” she remarked.
Tech Companies’ Response
Participating technology firms have endorsed the initiative as a valuable addition to their existing content moderation strategies. Griffin Hunt, a product manager at Google Search, noted that updates implemented in early 2025 led to “greater engagement with therapeutic help services” and a reduction in subsequent searches for illegal material. This outcome aligns with the foundation’s broader objective of reducing the spread of CSAM by encouraging users to change their behavior.
Mega, a company specializing in encrypted cloud storage, also joined the project, asserting that its involvement underscores the potential of encrypted platforms to contribute to child protection. “Encrypted services are not inherently incapable of addressing harmful behavior,” said a representative from Mega. “By integrating alerts and support mechanisms, they can play a vital role in preventing the dissemination of child sexual abuse material.”
Quotes from Experts
“The scale of the problem is growing, and yet the number of people who click through to get help remains disappointingly low. This highlights the need for more effective strategies to engage users at the point of risk,” said Sonia Livingstone.
“Safety by design needs to be a guiding principle, and platforms must be built with proactive measures to ensure there’s no refuge for harmful content,” added Emma Hardy.
“Warning messages form part of the regulatory expectations, showing that the Online Safety Act is driving measurable action to protect children online,” stated Almudena Lara.
As the digital landscape evolves, the success of Project Intercept serves as a benchmark for how technology can be leveraged to safeguard vulnerable individuals. However, the project also reveals ongoing challenges, such as the difficulty in converting alerts into sustained behavioral change. With continued collaboration between charities and tech firms, the hope is that these efforts will not only reduce the spread of CSAM but also empower users to make informed decisions about their online activities.
For those interested in staying updated on advancements in child protection and digital safety, the Lucy Faithfull Foundation encourages subscription to its Tech Decoded newsletter. This resource offers insights into cutting-edge strategies and trends shaping the fight against online child abuse. Readers outside the UK can also sign up for the global edition to receive the latest developments in this critical area.