Introduction > ISPAI General Manager's Preface
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ISPAI General Manager's Preface
This, the third published report of the www.hotline.ie service, reflects a very different Internet environment compared to that prevailing when the first report was written in 2001. The public availability and use of the Internet is now almost taken for granted. The opportunities and benefits offered by the Internet are well recognised by the majority of the Irish public, who are adopting it in ever increasing numbers.
However, the public are increasingly becoming aware that, as in society at large, there are a small number of people who will try to use any facility, including the Internet, for nefarious and criminal purposes. Of particular concern is the misuse to which the Internet can be put by those who engage in socially unacceptable sexual pursuits that present a real danger to children. Nearly 10 years ago, when few people in the country even knew what the Internet was, the ISP Industry in Ireland recognised rather than ignored these "downside" possibilities.
In cooperation with Government, the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland agreed measures to be put in place by both Government and the ISP industry to combat misuse of national Internet facilities. Foremost among these measures was the agreement to establish an Internet Hotline to be run and funded by the ISPAI. This was among the first in the world and shows the commitment of responsible Internet Service Providers in Ireland to put money into fighting this problem.
With the vast growth in the Internet and the greater representation of society as a whole using it, having a Hotline where people can bring suspected illegal content to the attention of the authorities is needed more than ever. The Internet is so vast, it is mainly through reporting by the user public, that the ISP industry and law enforcement can hope to learn of the existence of much of the illegal content on the Internet. It is only on gaining knowledge of this material from reports that ISPs can take steps to remove it and law enforcement can be informed so they may investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. In the case of child pornography there is one further goal, that the child victims can be found and removed from further danger.
The demand for Internet connetion and hosting services has resulted in the welcome arrival of many new providers offering competition in the market. A number, honoring their role in support of safer Internet initatives, have joined the ISPAI. Regretably there is a significant number who appear to put profit before the protection of children and customers alike. These providers seem to be unwilling to contribute their share to the financing of the Hotline and related safety initiatives. The Hotline requests the Irish public to ensure that their service provider is an ISPAI member, contributing to your safety and especially the safety of your children when they are online.
This report explains the work carried out by the Hotline over the last 30 months. It analyses the findings and trends observed when processing the reports it receives. It also shows how, together with International counterparts, law enforcement, industry, government and other stakeholders, it has been acting to contain the growth of illegal content and use of the Internet.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the Hotline Analysts, both in www.hotline.ie and the other INHOPE member Hotlines, whose daily work involves assessment some of the most harrowing scenes of abuse of innocent children. Without their resilience and dedication, which makes the Hotlines an effective service, the Internet would hold far more dangers than the miniscule fraction than it does today. I would also like to thank the Ministers of Government, particularly Michael McDowell T.D., Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Brian Lenihan T.D., Minister of State for Children, Members of the Internet Advisory Board, An Garda Síochána and the European Commission's Safer Internet Programme whose continued support has enabled www.hotline.ie to successfully continue in its work over the reporting period.
PAUL DURRANT
General Manager, www.hotline.ie
February 2006
