EuroISPA brings EU policymakers and industry together to discuss progress in efforts to create a safer Internet

Brussels, June 19 – On the morning of June 17, EuroISPA brought together leading EU policymakers to discuss the industry-led efforts to protect children online, in a policy breakfast co-hosted by MEPs Anna Maria Corazza Bildt (EPP) and Caterina Chinnici (S&D) in the European Parliament.

The Towards a Safer Internet for Children gathering focused on the crucial role played by the network of European Internet Hotlines, and the instrumental value of EU co-funding in sustaining the fight against Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) online.

MEPs Corazza Bildt and Chinnici facilitated the discussion in their capacity as co-chairs of the Parliament’s recently-formed Intergroup on Children’s Rights. The Intergroup features MEPs from across the Parliament’s committees and political groups, and seeks to bring new emphasis to children’s issues in the Institution’s work. Attendees at the event included MEPs, officials from the European Commission and Council of Europe, and Internet Service Providers from across the EU.

In his keynote presentation, EuroISPA Safer Internet committee co-chair Paul Durrant briefed attendees on the long-standing activity of EuroISPA in the area of child protection online. Focusing specifically on the Association’s stewardship of several national Hotlines dedicated to fighting CSAM, he thanked EU policymakers for their support in sustaining the fight thus far, but warned that the current gains were at risk if European Commission co-funding of Hotlines is not secured beyond its current expiration in 2018.

EuroISPA Safer Internet committee co-chair Paul Durrant said: “As the voice of Europe’s Internet Services Providers, EuroISPA abhors the misuse of our networks by those users who circulate Child Sexual Abuse Material. We will continue to work with policymakers in the Commission and Parliament to sustain the network of Internet Hotlines and build on the strong results to date”.

MEP Anna Maria Corazza Bildt (EPP, Sweden) said:“The safety and protection of children on the Internet is a top priority for the Intergroup on Children’s Rights. It’s important for us to continue this constructive dialogue with industry, as we, as legislators, don’t have all the solutions. We call on the industry to continue to take its shared responsibility to invest in finding innovative solutions. Lets join forces for a safer Internet for our children”.

MEP Caterina Chinnici (S&D, Italy) said: “We are here today to highlight the instrumental role played by EU co-funding in fighting crimes against children online. The maintenance of EU co-funding for European Hotlines will be essential if we are to maintain and build upon the encouraging progress made thus far.”