TalkTalk pulls support for ‘Internet Matters’ charity amid financial struggles 

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TalkTalk will exit its co-founded child safety charity, Internet Matters, by the end of March, the Telegraph has reported 

Internet Matters, a charity that educates parents, schools, and caregivers about online safety, was founded in 2014 by TalkTalk alongside BT, Virgin Media, and Sky.  

Despite growing concerns about online safety and upcoming UK regulations aimed at tightening controls over major internet platforms, TalkTalk says it is no longer able to financially support the charity. 

“TalkTalk is proud to be one of the founders of Internet Matters, having financially supported the organisation for the past decade. We remain committed to online safety and are exploring different ways of continuing to support Internet Matters and its work moving forward,” said a TalkTalk spokesperson.Internet Matters is primarily funded by its founding members, each contributing an annual membership fee of around £300,000. 

“We would like to thank TalkTalk for the significant contribution they have made to Internet Matters for the last 11 years. Their support has been invaluable,” said an Internet Matters spokesperson. 

“Internet Matters remains committed to its mission to keep children safe online and is supported by a broad base of members and partners across a range of industries, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to provide families across the UK with the vital help that they need.” 

TalkTalk’s withdrawal is part of the wider cost-reduction strategy,  with the company aiming to reduce its overall expenses by £120 million.  

Additional cost cutting measures include job cut, with TalkTalk already having begun redundancy consultations for the 130 jobs being cut at in its consumer division based in Salford. More are set to follow at its wholesale business, Platform X.  

The company’s latest accounts show the company had losses of £72 million in the six months to August 2024, up from £47 million in the same period last year. Revenue also fell 6% to £700 million. 

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