In Quarter I of 2021, Lithuanian hotline Svarus Internetas (Clean Internet) received 2205 reports of illegal or harmful internet content. This indicator already significantly exceeds the total number of reports received in 2020 – 1373 reports. The reports were sent not only by Lithuanian internet users but an unusually large number of reports about child sexual abuse images on Lithuanian servers were also received from internet hotlines in other countries, INHOPE members.

Compared to Quarter I of 2020 (383 reports were received), the number of reports increased more than 5 times. 1045 reports of prohibited or harmful content affecting minors on the internet were confirmed, and action was taken on 102 websites where this content was disseminated. 4 reports about websites disseminating child sexual abuse images were sent to internet hotlines in other countries, members of INHOPE, through ICCAM system. 46 reports on websites operating in Lithuania disseminating child sexual abuse images were forwarded to the Police Department for further investigation. 41 reports were sent to hosting service providers, website owners and social networks in various countries with a Notice and Take Down message. One Lithuanian hosting service provider, which failed to respond to hotline messages, was given a mandatory instruction by hotline to remove prohibited content or restrict access to two websites that had more than 500 child sexual abuse images.

Bullying in cyberspace is another sensitive and relevant issue in the digital environment, and during the first quarter Svarus Internetas received 43 reports regarding cyberbullying. In 12 cases, the information was confirmed and appropriate action was taken.

Learn more about Svarus Internetas with their intro video here.