SafeToNet to embed its groundbreaking AI technology in smartphones in conjunction with HMD Global

HMD, Europe’s largest smartphone manufacturer, has agreed terms to embed groundbreaking artificial intelligence powered technology developed by West Hill investee company, SafeToNet, in the operating system of its flagship Fusion device, creating the world’s first, genuinely safe, child smartphone. 

SafeToNet’s award-winning “Harmblock” technology makes the phone “pornography incompatible” as it prevents the viewing, recording, sharing and saving of any form of sexually explicit material. This breakthrough technology utilises innovative AI to stop the child from being harmed, directly addressing significant public concern regarding child safety online. 

Through the deployment of SafeToNet’s technology, smartphones are safe from the moment they are switched on, stopping sexual coercion and sextortion by preventing the phone’s camera from recording explicit content. The technology also prevents a child from seeing sexual content in all live-stream and video applications such as Face-Time, Whatsapp video and more. 

The roll-out within HMD devices will commence this summer and with SafeToNet targeting a truly global footprint, with tremendous potential to extend the technology so that all smart devices can be used, potentially protecting millions of children around the world.

A spokesperson for the UK Government commented:

‘Technological innovations offer opportunities to improve safety online, especially for children, which is why we wholeheartedly welcome this important work by partners like SafeToNet.

It is encouraging to see a handset manufacturer use their technology to respond to real public concerns, particularly amongst parents, around safeguards for children.’

Beyond the deployment with HMD, SafeToNet see big potential for Harmblock to be utilised across the industry and worldwide, with SafeToNet targeting a very large valuation in due course as a global leader in AI technology to protect children online. 

CEO of SafeToNet, Richard Pursey, commented:

‘Our vision in a perfect world is that we’d be able to produce our technology so that it doesn’t matter who the manufacturer is or what the device is, you should be able to just press a button and download it.’