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27-06-2025
The IWF is a world-leading organization that actively works to combat online child sexual abuse. With this partnership, .PT significantly strengthens its ability to proactively respond to the exposure of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on .pt domains.
It is important to emphasize that .PT does not monitor content directly; it acts based on alerts issued by the IWF, which follow strict validation protocols.
.PT joins the fight against online child sexual abuse
The Internet is like a city: it has busy streets full of useful information, but it also has dark alleys where dangers lurk. One of the biggest is online child sexual abuse. To help combat it, .PT has joined the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
The IWF is a world-leading organization that actively works to combat online child sexual abuse. With this partnership, .PT significantly strengthens its ability to proactively respond to the exposure of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on .pt domains.
What changes with this partnership?
When the IWF identifies content related to child sexual abuse hosted on a site with a .pt domain, .PT receives a real-time alert, allowing for a swift response, namely:
- Notifying the appropriate authorities;
- Subsequently, and if applicable, suspending the domain;
- Sharing, within the applicable legal frameworks, the essential data to support the investigation.
All to ensure that the content is removed as quickly as possible and the impact—especially on the victims—is minimized.
It is important to emphasize that .PT does not monitor content directly; it acts based on alerts issued by the IWF, which follow strict validation protocols.
More than reacting, it's about prevention
Many cybercriminals, when they see a domain blocked (such as .pt), immediately switch to another, like .com or .xyz. This is known as "TLD hopping”. With the TLD Hopping List tool, .PT can now track these movements and anticipate suspicious registrations—helping stop the problem before it even starts.
What does this mean for .pt website owners?
If you have a website with a .pt domain, this measure protects you. With this system, we can:
- Keep the .pt zone safer;
- Strengthen user trust;
- Protect Portugal’s online reputation.
With this new partnership, .PT reinforces its role in promoting a safer, more responsible, and trustworthy digital ecosystem. By choosing a .pt domain, you’re also contributing to that. Everyone working toward the same goal.
Please note: the articles on this blog may not convey the opinion of .PT, but of its author.
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