Thorn
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
Thorn firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Thorn
- Legal name
- Thorn
- Website
- https://thorn.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Thorn industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Child Safety Software
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Child Safety & Exploitation Prevention Operations (CSAM detection workflows, escalation) (BPAAALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII) (HDAEANAG), Spam, Fake Engagement & Content Abuse Prevention (HDADALAG)
Keywords
Where Thorn is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Thorn business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Platform Safety - Safer Product: Earned revenue from providing Safer CSAM detection products to technology companies. 86 companies utilized Safer in 2025, representing 43% more than 2024.
- Child Victim Identification: Earned revenue from Thorn Detect and CSAM Classifier tools deployed through digital forensic platforms. 66% of this pillar is earned revenue funded.
- Philanthropic Donations: Donations from individual donors (20,000+ donors), monthly Builders program, major gifts, planned giving, stock donations, cryptocurrency, and workplace giving programs. Research & Insights and Technical Innovation are 100% philanthropically funded.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Safer CSAM Detection for Platforms |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Thorn product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Thorn develops and operates AI-powered detection software that identifies child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and child sexual exploitation (CSE) content. Its core commercial products are the Safer platform (SaaS detection for content-hosting technology companies) and Thorn Detect (forensic CSAM classifiers used by law enforcement). The organization supplements these tools with proactive text-based grooming detection, Spanish-language support, and expert consulting on child safety policy and AI product safety.
Product overview
Thorn is a child safety nonprofit that offers a portfolio of technology products organized around four pillars: research and insights, technical innovation, child victim identification, and platform safety. The core product offering includes Safer (a CSAM and CSE-text detection SaaS platform for content-hosting platforms) and Thorn Detect (an AI-powered detection tool for law enforcement investigators). These are supplemented by Safer Predict (proactive AI detection), Thorn for Parents (parent resources), and NoFiltr (youth community). Thorn also offers consulting services for platforms seeking expert guidance on child safety policy and AI product red teaming. The products work together to create a layered digital safety net: Safer helps platforms detect and remove CSAM, Thorn Detect helps investigators identify child victims faster, and the research division informs all product development with youth-centered insights.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Safer: CSAM and CSE-text detection product for content-hosting platforms
- Safer Predict
- Thorn Detect
- Thorn for Parents
- NoFiltr
Products and services
- Safer
Quantifiable outcome
- 13,100,000+ potential CSAM files flagged for removal since 2012
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Thorn
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Thorn technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability8 records
Feature5 records
Thorn partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- VeritonecoreVeritone integrated Thorn Detect, a CSAM detection AI tool, into its Intelligent Digital Evidence Management System (iDEMS) suite for law enforcement. The technology helps investigators identify evidence more quickly, prioritize content, and locate child victims faster.
- VeritonecoreThorn Detect integrated into Veritone's iDEMS suite for law enforcement investigations. Uses machine learning to identify potential CSAM on digital devices, helping investigators prioritize evidence and accelerate case resolution.
- Compassion InternationalflagshipThorn and Compassion International partnership since 2011 celebrating milestone of 25,000+ children sponsored. Collaboration extends the message of The Thorn theatrical production beyond stage to create tangible impact for children living in poverty.
- OpenAIcoreOpenAI uses Thorn's hash matching technology to identify known CSAM, deploying classifiers to detect potentially novel abusive content. OpenAI reports instances to NCMEC and advocates for public policy frameworks with Thorn.
- OpenAIcoreOpenAI's Child Safety Blueprint developed with input from NCMEC, Attorney General Alliance, and Thorn to facilitate more effective collaboration to prevent harm to children in the AI era.
- GriffeyecoreGriffeye is a digital forensic platform partner through which investigators can access Thorn Detect directly for child victim identification investigations.
- Magnet ForensicscoreMagnet Forensics is a digital forensic platform partner providing access to Thorn Detect for investigators working on child exploitation cases.
- INHOPEcoreThorn is a partner and advises on developments, trends, and perspectives across the online childhood protection ecosystem. Also involved in INHOPE Global Standard Project developing Universal Classification Schema.
- INTERPOLflagshipThorn participates in INTERPOL's Crimes against Children Unit activities, leveraging technical components and data to overcome technical challenges investigators face. Contributes expertise and leadership supporting international community to identify children faster.
- Tech CoalitionflagshipThorn is a member of Tech Coalition, a global industry alliance of 60 technology companies dedicated to combating online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Publishes Lantern Transparency Report on cross-platform signal-sharing.
- NoFiltrflagshipNoFiltr was initially incubated within Thorn and transitioned to independence with Thorn's fiscal sponsorship on Safer Internet Day 2026. Youth-driven digital safety brand expanding to include emerging technologies, information literacy, and digital wellbeing.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Thorn competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Thorn social profiles
Digital presenceThorn compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Thorn financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Thorn leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Thorn subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Thorn funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Thorn M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Thorn
What does Thorn do?
Thorn develops and operates AI-powered detection software that identifies child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and child sexual exploitation (CSE) content. Its core commercial products are the Safer platform (SaaS detection for content-hosting technology companies) and Thorn Detect (forensic CSAM classifiers used by law enforcement). The organization supplements these tools with proactive text-based grooming detection, Spanish-language support, and expert consulting on child safety policy and AI product safety.
Is Thorn a public or private company?
Thorn is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Thorn founded?
Thorn was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Thorn based?
Thorn is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Thorn make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Platform Safety - Safer Product is the primary driver. The others are child Victim Identification and philanthropic Donations.
Does Thorn have an API?
No public API is recorded for Thorn.
What industry is Thorn in?
Thorn's product category is Child Safety Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAAALAK, Child Safety & Exploitation Prevention Operations (CSAM detection workflows, escalation), with a secondary code of HDAEANAG, Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII). Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 7371.