Innovation Meets Integrity in Paris
In November 2023, Paris became the heart of global digital safety discussions as technologists, policymakers, and innovators gathered for the second Trust & Safety Hackathon. Hosted at the historic Sorbonne University and aligned with the Paris Peace Forum, the event showcased how collaboration and creativity can drive solutions that make the internet safer for all.
The Paris edition built on the momentum of the first global T&S Hackathon in San Francisco, expanding its reach to Europe and engaging a diverse group of participants — from students to regulators — all united by a common goal: protecting users from illegal and harmful content online.
T&S Hackathon Paris — November 2023
The 2nd Trust & Safety Hackathon happened on November 9, 2023 online and in-person at the Sorbonne in Paris alongside the Paris Peace Forum.
The objective for this hackathon was to bring together professionals, engineers, policymakers, regulators, press, students, and other key audiences who want to dream up potential solutions that protect users from illegal content. Solutions can be both technical (e.g. hash-sharing, new models to better detect AI-generated CSAM, etc) or non-technical (e.g. an industry standard policy template, an open dashboard to track emerging content regulations, etc).
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This T&S Hackathon focused on identifying solutions that answer the following question:
How can we work together to prevent the creation and spread of illegal content?
Collaboration Across Disciplines
The Paris Hackathon brought together voices that rarely share the same room — regulators sitting alongside students, engineers brainstorming with journalists, and academics discussing solutions with civil society experts.
This diversity of backgrounds sparked bold ideas that blended technology, ethics, and policy.
Participants worked in mixed teams to develop both technical and non-technical solutions, from new detection frameworks for AI-generated content to open, transparent dashboards tracking regional compliance efforts. Many projects emphasized collaboration and knowledge-sharing across platforms — highlighting that online safety is not a competition, but a collective responsibility.
Innovation Themes and Ideas
Some of the ideas discussed during the Paris event included:
- AI-enhanced hash-sharing: leveraging artificial intelligence to better identify illegal media while preserving privacy.
- Regulation trackers: tools to help companies and governments monitor new online safety policies globally.
- Community education programs: workshops and toolkits to raise awareness about illegal content and reporting mechanisms.
- Industry-wide frameworks: proposals for cross-platform transparency and accountability standards.
These projects reflected the growing need for adaptable, transparent systems that protect users while supporting freedom of expression.
Sponsors & Partners
The T&S Hackathon is made possible thanks to generous financial support from the Hewlett Foundation.
We are grateful to our organizing partners Tremau, the Sorbonne, and ActiveFence for their invaluable support and collaboration.
About the T&S Hackathon
The T&S Hackathon is a volunteer-driven program bringing together passionate individuals around the world for the purpose of protecting users no matter where they roam online.
Participants take part as private individuals. Any statements, ideas, and views are their own and do not represent a company or organization.
The T&S Hackathon is off the record. Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed. The program is designed to share ideas, trends, and non-proprietary information. Sharing anything confidential or similar is strictly forbidden. All participants agree to a code of conduct and a set of values set forth by the organizers — diversity, equity, inclusion, courage, curiosity, and fun.
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The Spirit of Trust & Safety
What makes the Trust & Safety Hackathon unique is its open, cross-sector approach. Rather than competing for prizes or recognition, participants collaborate to imagine how technology and policy can coexist responsibly. The focus is on impact — turning creative concepts into real-world solutions that help platforms, governments, and communities fight digital harm.
The Paris event emphasized three key values: transparency, collaboration, and humanity. In an age of AI acceleration and deepfake proliferation, these values remind us that technology must evolve with ethical guardrails in place.
Global Impact and Next Steps
Following the Paris event, participants and mentors continued to share insights across the growing global T&S Hackathon network. The movement now connects experts and volunteers from more than 40 countries, promoting responsible innovation and user safety worldwide.
Future hackathons are expected to expand into regions like Africa, Asia, and South America, ensuring that every voice — especially from emerging digital communities — is heard in the global safety dialogue.
Conclusion: From Ideas to Action
The T&S Hackathon Paris proved that real change begins with conversation — and courage. By combining expertise, creativity, and a shared sense of responsibility, participants demonstrated that it’s possible to imagine a safer digital future without sacrificing openness or innovation.
As technology continues to evolve, the work started in Paris serves as a reminder: online safety is not a product, but a partnership. Together, we can build an internet that protects, empowers, and inspires.