Who are we?

The Internet Hotline is an online information and assistance service operated by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority since 2011 as a public interest service, working to make the internet a safer place. Online content can be reported to the Internet Hotline when the reporting person suspects that it is illegal or harmful to the development of minors. Over the past nearly 13 years, we have handled more than 17,000 reports.

What can be reported?

The Internet Hotline receives reports about content available on the internet in eight different categories:

• content published without consent,
• child pornography,
• online harassment,
• racist content, incitement against a community,
• content promoting or encouraging the use of illegal psychoactive substances,
• content inciting or promoting illegal acts of violence,
• phishing content,
• other content harmful to minors.

Where and how to report?

Users can contact us (https://nmhh.hu/internethotline/) via the form available on the website (https://ekapu.nmhh.hu/eljarastipus/223) or via e-mail (internethotline@internethotline.hu). When submitting a report by using the form, the reporting person does not have to provide their name and contact details and can submit their report anonymously. In the latter case, the Internet Hotline staff will investigate the content of the report, but are unable to respond to the reporting person.

Partner hotlines abroad can report through the ICCAM system operated by INHOPE (International Association of Internet Hotlines), the international association against child sexual exploitation. The ICCAM is a secure software tool that can collect, categorise, make available and share URLs pointing to child sexual abuse material with hotline analysts for further action. ICCAM is used by INTERPOL in addition to the member hotlines.

Basic information on the Internet Hotline’s procedure

The rules governing the operation and procedures of the Internet Hotline are set out in Sections 149/B to D of Act C of 2003 on Electronic Communications and the Internet Hotline Rules of Procedure which forms Annex 4 to the NMHH's Rules of Organisation and Operation. At the Internet Hotline, we investigate and provide legal assistance and technical advice for protecting public interests in the safe use of the internet. The investigation based on a report is not an official procedure, and we cannot exercise official powers or use official means in the course of our activities. The report does not constitute a public authority case. Accordingly, the Internet Hotline cannot oblige anyone to remove the content objected to by the reporting person, nor can it impose a fine.

How can we help?

Our primary goal is always to provide the reporting person with the most effective assistance, taking into account the specific circumstances of the case. Furthermore, we strive to ensure that the service provider that made the reported content (which is likely to constitute a violation) available remedies the situation as quickly as possible.

1. Based on the provided information, if we determine that there is a possibility of online abuse, Internet Hotline will contact the content or hosting provider directly and request an investigation into the issue. Depending on the outcome of it, Internet Hotline will request that the provider takes the necessary measures and informs them about civil and criminal liability rules.
2. If the reported content is available on a social media site or other website that has its own reporting form or complaint management procedure, we inform the reporting person and suggest that they should, if possible, first take action themselves, for which we provide them with the necessary assistance.

In what situation are we unable to help?

• content appearing in media services and press products;
• unsolicited electronic advertising (spam);
• copyright litigation;
• consumer complaints about webshops;
• privacy notices, or the lack thereof;
• editorial information, or the lack thereof;
• illegal film downloading sites;
• and the investigation of online abuse that falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of another authority, court or other public body.

What happens to the report?

As soon as the Internet Hotline receives a report, it investigates its content. The most important thing for the investigation is that the report contains the exact URL (link) to the specific online content, as without this, the analysts will not be able to identify the offending web content.

This is followed by an examination of the URL to see whether the social media site or other website concerned has its own reporting form or complaint management procedure. If so, the Internet Hotline will inform the reporting person and suggest that they should, if possible, first take action themselves, for which it provides the necessary assistance. If the reporting person has previously submitted a report to the social media site, content or hosting provider but has not been successful, has not received a response or the site does not have a reporting form the Internet Hotline will contact the site and request an investigation into the issue objected to by the reporting person.

In all cases, the Internet Hotline will inform the reporting person of the actions taken and the procedure followed, as well as of the feedback from the social networking site and the content or hosting provider, on condition that the reporting person has provided their e-mail address. If the report raises the possibility of a criminal offence to be prosecuted other than upon a private motion, it will forward the report to the investigating authority within one working day of the detection.

It is important that each case is treated individually. If the report suggests that the reporting person is a minor, the Internet Hotline will respond in a child-friendly manner, in a direct and friendly tone, and in a clear and understandable way for the child. In addition to dealing with online abuse, we encourage children who come to us to talk to an adult they trust so they won’t be left alone with their problem. Additionally, in all cases, we also draw their attention to the Kék Vonal Child Crisis Foundation’s 0-24 toll-free helpline (116-111).