Cambodia Investment Review
In a major step to strengthen digital safety in Cambodia, Smart Axiata, one of the country’s telecommunications and ICT service providers, has partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a global NGO and APLE Cambodia to block access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online and provide reporting channels that allow people to report such content. This initiative places Smart Axiata at the forefront of child protection efforts in Cambodia’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
As the first mobile operator in Cambodia to implement the IWF’s URL and Non-Photographic Imagery (NPI) blocklists, Smart is actively protecting more than 7.5 million subscribers from inadvertently accessing confirmed child sexual abuse content. When users attempt to visit blocked URLs, they are redirected to a Smart Axiata page explaining the reason for the block, highlighting the importance of online child protection and preventing further exposure to inappropriate content. This protection is provided free of charge.
Commitment to Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
This initiative is fully aligned with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications’ Child Online Protection Guidelines, reinforcing Smart’s broader commitment to cybersecurity and digital trust. According to a study by Disruptive Technology for Development (DT4D), more than 1 in 10 Cambodian children aged 12–17 who use the internet have experienced some form of online sexual exploitation or abuse. This statistic, combined with the global rise in online CSAM. over 291,000 webpages removed by IWF in 2024, a 5% increase from 2023, underscores the urgent need for action at both local and international levels.
Ziad Shatara, CEO of Smart Axiata, emphasized the importance of acting decisively: “At Smart, we believe that building a connected society also means building a safe one for all. As children access the internet for education and entertainment, they also face new risks. Our partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation is a critical step toward ensuring Cambodia’s digital future is safe, secure, and inclusive—especially for our young users.”
“This initiative builds on Smart’s longstanding efforts to advance digital society and safeguard Cambodia’s digital space. We are proud to integrate global tools and local partnerships to defend children’s rights online.”
Through this partnership, Smart also gains access to IWF’s research, intelligence, and tools to help identify and disrupt the distribution of CSAM.
Make The Internet A Safer Place For All
Derek Ray-Hill, Interim CEO of the IWF, praised the collaboration: “The proliferation of horrific child sexual abuse images and videos online is a global problem which requires a strong international response. Our partnership with Smart is a prime example of how organizations from around the world can work together to make the internet a safer place for all.”
“By showing a commitment to online safety and using our data and expertise, Smart can protect millions of their customers, the online community and children from viewing this distressing content and prevent the further repeated victimization of victims and survivors.”
In parallel, Smart Axiata is expanding its collaboration with APLE Cambodia, a local child protection NGO, to raise awareness and enhance public reporting of Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA). This includes promoting APLE’s reporting hotline and embedding reporting tools on Smart Axiata’s official website and digital channels—empowering the public to take action.
Samleang Seila, APLE’s Executive Director remarked “Through our united efforts, Smart Axiata and APLE strive to create a safer online environment for children. We encourage everyone to report suspected incidents of online child sexual exploitation. Our collaboration has already made a difference, helping to rescue victims and hold perpetrators accountable.”
To further enhance its cybersecurity posture, Smart Axiata has also implemented:
- ISO 27001:2022-certified Information Security Management Systems
- Next generation signaling firewalls
- 24/7 threat monitoring systems
- A new Cybersecurity Add-on for consumers, offering greater protection while browsing online
As part of Axiata Group Berhad, Smart Axiata continues to align with global standards and international partnerships that drive responsible digital growth. This latest initiative reaffirms Smart’s sustainability pillar of Advancing Digital Society, ensuring that all Cambodians, especially children, can thrive safely in a connected world.
