The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) operates the CyberTipline (cybertipline.org), which is the central reporting portal for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and intimate images of minors online. Under the PROTECT Our Children Act, platform operators are legally required to report CSAM to NCMEC. Members of the public can also file reports. NCMEC forwards reports to the FBI and state Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces for investigation.

Key facts about this term

  1. File a report at cybertipline.org The CyberTipline accepts reports from both platform operators and members of the public.
  2. Do NOT download the content to submit as evidence Provide URLs and descriptions only. NCMEC investigators have tools to retrieve and preserve evidence safely.
  3. Start ScanErase discovery in parallel NCMEC reporting can happen alongside using ScanErase for face exposure discovery.

Frequently asked questions

Is reporting to NCMEC mandatory for members of the public?

Mandatory reporting obligations apply to electronic service providers (platform operators). Members of the public are strongly encouraged to report but are not subject to criminal penalties for failing to do so.

How long does NCMEC take to respond to reports?

NCMEC typically routes reports to law enforcement within 24-72 hours. The investigation timeline then depends on law enforcement resource allocation.

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