Thorn

About

Thorn is a non-profit organization dedicated to building technology to defend children from sexual abuse. Founded in 2012, originally as the DNA Foundation by Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Thorn collaborates with tech companies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and law enforcement to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and protect children from online exploitation. The organization develops tools and programs designed to empower platforms and individuals who have the ability to make the internet a safer place for children. Thorn's work encompasses several key areas. They build products and resources to help stop the proliferation of CSAM and prevent revictimization. One of their notable initiatives is Safer, a holistic solution for tech companies to detect and report CSAM at scale. They also focus on empowering parents and youth with knowledge and tools to prevent abuse through programs like Thorn for Parents and NoFiltr, a peer-to-peer prevention program for teens. Furthermore, Thorn equips law enforcement agencies and NGOs with tools and solutions to help them identify child victims more quickly and remove them from harm. The organization has a significant impact, having assisted law enforcement in identifying thousands of child victims globally. Thorn actively engages in research to understand emerging threats and youth experiences online, such as the risks posed by generative AI and deepfake nudes. They also advocate for effective policies and legislation both in the U.S. and internationally to address the global nature of child sexual abuse. Thorn's approach involves a strong emphasis on collaboration, working with a diverse network of partners, including major tech companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Amazon, to develop and implement innovative solutions.