From Classification to Automation: The Evolution of the Universal Classification Schema

Laying the Groundwork (2024 to early 2025)

In 2024, Version 3 of the Schema was launched following extensive consultation with hotline analysts, legal experts, and law enforcement stakeholders. Its release marked a major milestone, setting a clearer standard for how CSAM is classified across jurisdictions. Outreach began immediately, with over one hundred requests received from national governments, tech companies, researchers, and civil society actors seeking to explore training opportunities or integrate the Schema into their systems.

To support implementation, INHOPE launched the Schema Ambassador Programme and a training-of-trainers model designed to equip regional champions and support localised delivery. Briefings were held for law enforcement, international organisations, and industry stakeholders. Translations and legal mapping pilots were initiated, helping partners begin aligning their national frameworks with Schema categories. Early in 2025, the first meeting of the Expert Council took place, formalising a review and governance process for future Schema updates.

Preparing for Annotation (mid to late 2025)

By mid 2025, development shifted toward preparing for real-world use. In June, a revised training module was released. In August, one-to-one jurisdictional mapping meetings began with partners to support legal alignment. By September, ICCAM had been fully migrated to include the Schema, and a new annotation module was launched. This allowed hotlines and analysts to begin labelling visual content using Schema categories. At the same time, additional hash languages were made available to support enhanced matching by law enforcement agencies.
These efforts marked the beginning of structured annotation at scale. Schema labels began flowing into ICCAM datasets, laying the foundation for future automation and cross-border comparison.

Enabling Automation (2026)

In January 2026, clustering functionality will be introduced into ICCAM, enabling analysts to group similar content and improve identification workflows. In February, initial results from the annotated data and mapping exercises will be shared with partners and incorporated into training updates and Expert Council reviews. By June 2026, a semi automated categorisation system will be launched, allowing Schema-based annotations to support prioritisation and detection in a way that reduces reliance on manual classification.

Continuous Improvement and Global Collaboration

Throughout this process, engagement remains central. The Expert Council continues to meet annually to evaluate updates and approve changes to the Schema. The Schema Community of Practice is being developed to connect users across sectors and regions, offering a space to share tools, insights, and case studies. Trainings continue to expand across Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa, and Asia. Translations and implementation resources are being developed to support partners working in diverse legal and linguistic environments.


Together, these efforts reflect a growing commitment to clarity, coordination, and shared standards. The Schema is not simply a reference tool. It is a common language that connects policy to practice, supports frontline responders, and helps ensure that victims of child sexual abuse are recognised and protected, wherever they are in the world.