Insafe, the European network of 30 national Safer Internet Centres
The InSafe network of national Safer Internet Centres facilitates the exchange of experience, information and materials, organises common activities, initiatives and training. Bulgaria also became a member of this network in 2008, when the Applied Research and Communications Foundation, in consortium with the Parents Association, won a project for its development, together with the Bulgarian eSports Federation and the advertising agency DeKoni. Each National Centre also has a Helpline where children, young people, parents, teachers and professionals can contact by phone and online channels (chat and email) to get advice and counselling on how to deal with a particular child’s online problem.
International Association of Internet Hotlines INHOPE
The Hotlines network was established under the Safe Internet Action Plan in 1999. Since then, the network has successfully expanded beyond the borders of the European Union to countries such as Australia, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, USA, Japan, etc. The network now covers 45 countries. The Bulgarian Hotline started its activities in 2006.
Thanks to the INHOPE network, transmitting received alerts to a Hotline operator in another country where the illegal or harmful content for children is located and quickly activating the relevant police service is made extremely easy. Each national Internet Hotline has a cooperation agreement with law enforcement, and the association has successfully cooperated with Interpol. The members of the association exchange experiences and information in order to increase the overall effectiveness of the hotlines.
Cybercrime Directorate of the DGCOP
The Cybercrime Directorate of the DGBOP-MIA carries out tasks to counteract organized criminal groups and individuals committing: unauthorized access to data; crimes related to cryptocurrencies; financial fraud on the Internet; production, possession and distribution of pornographic materials with minors; incitement to discrimination, violence or hatred, etc. The National Safer Internet Centre is in partnership with the Cybercrime Directorate in reporting reports of online crimes against children received on the Hotline. In addition to investigating and detecting crimes against children in the digital environment, the experts of the Directorate are partners of the Centre in a number of events, awareness campaigns and educational videos.