The IWF is an independent organisation charged with addressing issues relating to illegal content on the internet. Its board includes representatives from industry, education, consumer and media organisations. Although the IWF does not have legal powers to enforce its recommendation, it does generally receive support from the Internet Service Providers Association.
Civil liberties groups have criticised the move by the IWF on the grounds that it jeopardises the self-regulatory regime under which ISPs operate. At present, ISPs are only held liable for illegal content appearing on web pages hosted by them if they have been informed of their existence and advised to remove them. The civil liberties representatives fear that if force is given to the IWF’s recommendation, then it may threaten the freedom of ISPs to host material.