INHOPE has released a new Good Practice Guide for Trusted Flagger Applications under the DSA. The guide, funded by the European Commission as part of the Better Internet for Kids Programme under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), offers practical advice to support hotlines and other child online safety organisations in the application process and provides clear guidance on how to demonstrate compliance with DSA requirements.


The Digital Services Act (DSA) gives formal recognition and increased priority to Trusted Flaggers, creating a legal obligation for companies to act rapidly on their reports of illegal content. Trusted Flaggers can include NGOs, helplines, hotlines, and child welfare organisations with proven expertise in detecting harmful material. INHOPE hotlines, with decades of experience in identifying and removing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), are uniquely positioned as ideal candidates.

Already more than ten INHOPE members have been formally awarded Trusted Flagger status by their national authorities, including Child Focus (Belgium) Red Barnet (Denmark), Point de Contact (France), Safeline (Greece), NMHH (Hungary), Telefono Azzurro (Italy), Pelastakaa Lapset (Finland), ChildWebAlert (Malta), Meldpunt Kinderporno (Netherlands), Ora de Net (Romania), and ECPAT Sverige (Sweden)

This Good Practice Guide aims to empower even more network members and other child protection organisations to successfully apply for Trusted Flagger status, by outlining best practices and showcasing how organisations can highlight their expertise in child online safety during the application process.


Download the Good Practice Guide.