Our journey
Digital Dignity’s journey began in 2018 as a response to a friend in need.
As we were supporting someone close to us that has experienced Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA), we realized how few resources existed for survivors and how difficult it was to find, track, and remove abusive content online.
Watching a friend go through this inspired technological innovation, and we began developing a survivor-centered software to track private images online.
Our endeavor to help one person grew over time, and today Digital Dignity is a non-profit organization with volunteers spanning across the globe.
Although the road to get here has been long and filled with uncertainty, every stumbling block has been a push to build back better and ensure a world where human dignity is protected in every realm.
From 2018 to today
The beginning
In 2018, someone close to us became a survivor of IBSA when their private images were shared online without consent.
As we tried to help, we saw firsthand how difficult it was to track where this content was being shared and how few resources existed for survivors. We knew there had to be a better way forward.
The first prototype
We began developing a tool that could detect whether a person’s face appeared in online content.
The first prototype proved the concept could work, but it also raised important questions around privacy, consent, and legal responsibility.
Launching Am I In Porn?
In April 2020, we launched the first version of Am I In Porn?.
The service allowed users to upload a photo and search for matches online, offering a new way to identify potentially non-consensual sharing of intimate content.
From a tool to an NGO
As Am I In Porn? gained visibility, we started hearing from people around the world looking for support and guidance.
It became clear that detection alone was not enough. In response, we founded Digital Dignity as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of IBSA.
The shutdown
At the end of 2022, we made the difficult decision to take Am I In Porn? offline.
The platform faced growing technical limitations, and we needed to strengthen safeguards against misuse. Rebuilding became necessary to ensure the service could be safe and responsible.
Rebuilding and Switzerland
While the tool was offline, our work continued. We strengthened the technology, refined the concept, and expanded the organization.
In 2024, we established ourselves in Geneva, Switzerland, providing a stronger foundation for operating within the evolving landscape of digital rights, data protection, and AI regulation.
Digital Dignity today
Today, Digital Dignity is more than a single tool. What began as an effort to help one person has grown into a broader mission to address digital abuse and protect human dignity online.
Our new platform combines technology, safety by design, and long-term support to help people regain control over their digital identities.
Beyond the timeline
Some parts of our journey can’t be tied to a specific moment, but shaped everything along the way.
Navigating the legal landscape
One of our biggest challenges was understanding whether a service like Am I In Porn? could be built responsibly and legally.
We operated in a rapidly evolving environment shaped by regulations such as the GDPR, and newer legislation like the Digital Services Act, and the AI Act. Working closely with legal experts over several years, we adapted both our technology and organization to meet these requirements.
Today, we are proud to operate in compliance with Swiss law while continuing our mission to protect dignity in the digital space.
Funding and sustainability
From the beginning, funding was a constant challenge. We had to figure out how to keep the project alive with very limited resources.
At the same time, we made the conscious decision not to follow the traditional venture capital path. For us, this wasn’t just another product driven by profit. It was infrastructure for people in vulnerable situations, and that comes with responsibility.
Staying independent meant moving more slowly. It meant facing uncertainty almost constantly. But it also meant that we could build our own software on our own terms while keeping user protection at the highest priority.
The people behind the project
When we started, it was just the founders, building and testing without knowing where the journey would lead.
Over time, people started reaching out. Today, our team includes volunteers and interns from different backgrounds, all drawn to the mission of creating a safer digital world.
What connects them is not a particular skill set, but a shared commitment to making a difference. Their dedication helped transform Digital Dignity from a small volunteer initiative into an international organization supported by people from over 20 countries.
