A report from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has revealed more than 290,000 web addresses associated with child sexual abuse in Europe, many of which contain graphic images and videos.

Criminals are increasingly utilizing private domains and encrypted chat apps like Telegram to evade detection, complicating efforts to identify both victims and perpetrators.

Disturbingly, almost one-third of the videos identified by the IWF depict extreme forms of abuse, including rape and sadism.

European countries are currently grappling with a severe crisis, hosting over 60% of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM), with 2024 marking the worst year on record for such content.

Privacy advocates warn that scanning encrypted communications could undermine end-to-end encryption, potentially leading to widespread surveillance.

The rise of AI-generated CSAM reports has surged by an alarming 380% in 2024, raising significant concerns about the implications of deepfake technology.

The Netherlands has emerged as a leader in hosting child sexual abuse imagery and has implemented fines for companies that fail to remove CSAM.

In response to the growing threat, the European Commission proposed new regulations in 2022 aimed at requiring tech companies to detect and remove CSAM, but progress has been stymied by ongoing privacy concerns.

EU lawmakers remain divided on how to effectively balance the need for privacy with the imperative of child protection, with some advocating for targeted investigations and enhanced parental controls.

Under the EU's Digital Services Act, tech companies face stricter responsibilities for content moderation, including significant fines for non-compliance.

Current EU legislation permits tech platforms to report and remove CSAM under a temporary exemption, which is set to expire in April 2026.