How to Report Websites with Illegal Content: US & Internationally

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Not sure where to report illegal content online? We're here to help
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If you stumble across a website with illegal content (like sites with fraudulent, scammy, and malicious content), the most important thing you can do is report it to law enforcement—and we’re here to show you how. Read on to find the best ways to report illegal websites, both online and over the phone. In a matter of minutes, you can do your part to make the internet a little bit safer.

Disclaimer: CSEM is short for Child Sexual Exploitation Material. In some parts of the world, it may be referred to as CSAM.

Things You Should Know

  • Report websites with illegal content to FBI’s IC3 website if you live in America.
  • Report websites with CSEM-related content to the CyberTipline website if you live in America.
  • Visit INHOPE’s website to find the proper contact info to report CSEM-related websites to your country’s authorities.
Section 1 of 3:

Where to Report Illegal Websites in the USA

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  1. Report any concerning website to the FBI’s IC3 website . Select the “File a Complaint” button, and select from the “Business Email Compromise,” “Ransomware,” “Elder Fraud (Victims 60 and Over),” or “Other Cyber Crime” options. Depending on the category you choose, you’ll be prompted to provide specific information, like the victim’s mailing and email address.
    • The IC3 is a good place to report most crimes, including fraudulent sites, scam sites/content, and malicious sites/content.
    • Tip: If you’d rather report the incident in person, visit the nearest FBI field office in your area.
  2. Report Child Sexual Exploitation Materials (CSEM)-related crimes to the CyberTipline . Hit the “Report Incident” to be redirected to a digital report form. If you’d like to make a report over the phone, call [1] .
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  3. Report fraudulent, spammy, or malicious websites with Google’s report page . Choose the report category that best applies to the website in question: spam, malware, or phishing.
    • You can also use this form to report a website to Google.
    • Fraudulent websites peddling investment scams and similar illegal activity can be reported to the SEC here .
    • If a site has malware, report it to Google with this form .
  4. Report copyright infringement to Google with this form . If your intellectual property is being used without your permission, fill out this form as specifically as you can.
    • If someone you know is a victim of copyright infringement, send them the link to this form and encourage them to fill it out.
  5. Here’s a quick run-down of how to do this on different social media and video-sharing sites. [1]
    • Facebook: Hit the triple-dot icon on the post, followed by Report post and False information . [2]
    • YouTube: Hit the More … option, followed by Report . Then, select NEXT and give more information on why you’re reporting. [3]
    • Twitter/X: Hit the triple-dot icon on the post, followed by Report Post . [4]
    • Instagram: Hit the triple-dot icon attached to the post, along with Report , False information , and Submit report . [5]
    • TikTok: Select Profile , followed by Menu ☰ . Then, hit Settings and privacy , followed by Report a problem . From there, choose the best topic for your report. [6]
  6. Some content may be directly threatening you or your family. If the content is harming you personally, your local law enforcement can take steps to eliminate it. [7]
    • For example, if someone is displaying private photos of you without your permission, your local law enforcement may be able to do something about it.
    • If someone is directly harassing you or threatening you online and you believe they are a threat to your safety, you should also call local law enforcement.
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Section 2 of 3:

Where to Report Illegal Websites Internationally

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  1. Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website to file a report—you’ll need to make an account if you don’t have one already. To report CSEM-related websites and content, submit an online report on Canada’s Cybertip website .
    • Call [2] to reach the CAFC, or [3] to reach Cybertip.
  2. Many European countries have specific websites dedicated to internet reporting—EUROPOL has compiled a directory of them here . Follow the onscreen instructions to report the illegal site you came across.
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Country Websites
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  1. Vist Australia’s eSafety online form to report websites with illegal content. To make a report over the phone, call 880 176 .
  2. Contact the following website or phone number, depending on the country you live in.
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Country Website Phone #
Asia & African Resources
Japan

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N/A
Kazakhstan

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Russia

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Taiwan

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[4]

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South Africa

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[5]

  1. Contact your country’s corresponding website or phone number to report a website with illegal content.
Country Website Phone #
South American Resources
Argentina

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[6]

Brazil

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Colombia

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Peru

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  1. Visit INHOPE’s website and search for your country’s hotline for reporting CSEM. Keep in mind that some countries may not have an established hotline for this purpose.
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Section 3 of 3:

Other Reporting Options

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  1. The homepage of the hosting platform typically will have a link where you can report offensive or illegal content. You may see it in the banners at the very top or the very bottom of the page. Fill out the form to report the illegal content, and follow up with the hosting platform later to ensure the content is removed.
    • Look in the "help" or "support" section if you're having trouble finding the right place to report. You can also search for the word "report" and see what comes up.
    • If the platform is obscured, look towards the bottom of the page. You'll typically find a logo or the name of the platform somewhere towards the bottom, with the copyright information. For example, you might see "Powered by WordPress" on a WordPress page, even if "wordpress" does not appear in the URL.
  2. Head to Google and type in whois followed by the website you’d like the contact information of. In the results, take note of the “Administrative Contact” or “Registrant Email” info—this typically gets you in contact with the site owner. [8]
  3. Check Google’s Personal Content and Product Policies, and Removal Requirements page to confirm what the search engine can and can’t remove on your behalf. Then, visit this page to submit a removal request .
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.who.int/campaigns/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus/how-to-report-misinformation-online
      2. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/572838089565953?helpref=search&sr=2&query=reporting%20false%20claims&search_session_id=f886d969d0ffdf65b717d0567986859f
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2802027#zippy=%2Creport-a-video
      4. ↑ https://help.twitter.com/en/safety-and-security/report-a-post
      5. ↑ https://help.instagram.com/1735798276553028
      6. ↑ https://support.tiktok.com/en/log-in-troubleshoot/troubleshooting/report-a-problem
      7. ↑ https://tips.fbi.gov/home
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/9109

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