S21 Global Alliance database

Important intelligence should not remain hidden inside disconnected cases.

The S21 Global Alliance Database helps authorised investigators surface cross-case intelligence at scale. Most investigative systems are built around individual cases - but relevant material, victim indicators and connections often exist beyond case boundaries.

No development, maintenance or support fees – fully funded by Semantics 21 to support global collaboration.

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Overview

Intelligence beyond individual cases

Most investigative systems operate at case level, but intelligence does not. Relevant material, victim indicators and connections often exist beyond the boundaries of a single investigation, creating gaps that case-by-case review can miss. GAD helps authorised teams compare intelligence across a global dataset, surfacing links that may otherwise remain hidden.

Extend visibility beyond the current investigation

Built to support real investigative workflows - not as a standalone repository, but as an intelligence layer alongside existing systems.

Prioritise material linked to known intelligence

Identify connections between investigations that would otherwise remain unseen across separate datasets.

Support earlier victim identification

Surface likely victim-related matches to support safeguarding review and prioritise high-risk material.

Surface connections across cases

Access intelligence from a large global CSAM dataset, extending visibility beyond local or national investigative boundaries.

See how it works in 5 minutes

Join a former law enforcement officer for a practical walkthrough of the tool and features designed to support real-world investigations

How GAD supports investigative workflows

GAD supports investigative workflows without replacing existing systems. It enables comparison against a global intelligence dataset to surface relevant matches and links. Investigators remain in control of assessment and decision-making.

Intelligence, not evidence storage

GAD is not designed to function as an evidence store. It is an intelligence layer that helps authorised investigators understand where material may connect across cases, agencies and jurisdictions.

Instead of replacing existing case systems, GAD supports comparison against a global intelligence dataset so relevant links can be surfaced for investigator assessment.

Built for prioritisation

GAD helps investigators prioritise material by identifying where submitted intelligence may match known records, existing patterns or cross-case links.

This supports earlier triage, more focused review and better visibility of material that may be relevant to victim identification or wider investigative activity.

Works alongside existing systems

GAD is designed to support existing investigative environments, not replace them. It allows authorised teams to compare intelligence against a shared global dataset while continuing to use their established case management, forensic and review systems.

Investigators remain in control of assessment, interpretation and operational decision-making.

Trusted global collaboration

GAD supports controlled intelligence collaboration between authorised partners, helping investigators benefit from shared knowledge without exposing case evidence or replacing local investigative control.

It is designed for responsible use in authorised environments, with clear boundaries around contribution, access and assessment.

Organising evidence does not reveal how it connects.

GAD is designed to extend investigative visibility beyond case-level review.

Operational Capability

Operational controls and responsible access

GAD is designed for authorised investigative environments where intelligence sharing must remain controlled, secure and operationally useful.

Designed for authorised investigative environments

GAD is designed for authorised investigative users operating within controlled environments. Access, contribution and use should be governed by clear organisational approval and operational policy.

Supports cross-case intelligence comparison

GAD helps authorised partners compare intelligence across cases, supporting visibility where relevant material, victim indicators or investigative links may exist outside the originating case.

Maintains separation from case evidence systems

GAD is not a case evidence system and is not designed to replace forensic repositories or case management platforms. It supports intelligence comparison while keeping formal evidence handling within existing investigative systems.

Designed for secure investigative environments

GAD is designed for controlled use within authorised environments, supporting access to sensitive investigative intelligence where security, governance and operational control matter.

Clear operational boundaries

GAD supports intelligence discovery and comparison. It does not replace investigator assessment, legal review, evidential handling or safeguarding decision-making.

Focus on intelligence relevance

GAD helps surface victim identification intelligence and cross-case links earlier, supporting safeguarding-focused review and helping investigators prioritise material that may require urgent assessment.

The S21 Global Alliance Database contains over 3.5 billion law-enforcement-contributed intelligence records, supporting victim identification, cross-case intelligence analysis and authorised investigative collaboration at global scale.

How GAD is governed, protected and used

Functionality

Process & Governance

The S21 GAD has a transparent, vetted, and contracted sign-up process. It is not possible to accidentally sign up or upload.
Exports contain text intelligence only - no images, videos or media.
Uploads are periodic - for example, every three months - not every case.
S21 GAD works alongside other databases — no need to choose or switch.
Upload schedules and shared data are fully controlled by each contributor.

Customisation

Control and contribution

The S21 GAD is free to join — all we ask is that you contribute intelligence so the entire community can benefit.
Use of the S21 GAD is optional — our tools function fully with or without it.
You decide what non-identifiable data to contribute, with the option to limit to as little as hashes and categorisation.
No sensitive data (like file names, paths, or MAC addresses) is accepted.
You can use a pseudonym for your organisation if preferred.

Reliability

Security and privacy

All contributed data is encrypted - including merged data - and is never decrypted or accessed by Semantics 21.
No data is used for AI training or commercial purposes.
The S21 GAD is offline. It does not use the internet to connect.
The database is time-locked and becomes unusable after a defined period.
Designed to support GDPR-compliant use within authorised investigative environments.

Permissions

Access & Use

Only law enforcement and approved related organisations can access the S21 GAD.
We do not sell or share access to your data — it is only used to support investigations.
Contributed data is never used for AI, analytics or any purpose beyond supporting CSAM, law enforcement and legal investigations.
Data is accessible only through approved S21 tools — never leaked online.

Intelligence

Turning intelligence into action — with S21 VisionX

Intelligence should be easy to access, quick to develop and simple to share — that’s what S21 VisionX delivers.

Supports the S21 Global Alliance Database, the world’s largest community-driven CSAM and Counter-Terrorism database.
Supports NCMEC Cybertips, CPS, Project Arachnid, ICSIE, NSRL, Project VIC and UK CAID.
Integrates intelligence databases to enhance investigations.
Contains easy-to-share intelligence including notes, tags and device details to help identify more victims.

Unlike conventional tools, S21 VisionX makes intelligence practical, connected and ready to support safeguarding.

A typical investigative workflow with S21 Global Alliance Database

How GAD works

GAD integrates into investigative workflows without requiring replacement of existing systems. It supports comparison against a global intelligence dataset to surface relevant matches, links and connections. All assessment and decision-making remains with the investigator.

GAD supports comparison against a global intelligence dataset to surface relevant matches and connections.

The member organisation exports its S21 intelligence data

The file is encrypted and uploaded to a secure S21 repository

Uploaded data is merged into an encrypted master file

The latest encrypted GAD dataset is issued to authorised contributors

Access

Access options are provided through S21 VisionX, S21 Discovery and authorised partner environments

GAD is deployed within controlled investigative settings and aligned with existing workflows.

S21 VisionX / S21 Discovery users

FREE

Law enforcement
Commercial forensic providers
NGOs and charities

Third-party Access

CONTACT FOR CONNECTION

Commercial third-party tools
NGOs and charities
Storage and social media platforms
Non-S21 investigators

Used in investigations where delays and missed connections have consequences.

Designed for secure environments. Built for large-scale investigations. Developed with investigators and forensic practitioners.

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Real-world intelligence impact

GAD helps authorised investigators connect intelligence that may otherwise remain separated by case, system or jurisdiction - supporting earlier insight, stronger prioritisation and more focused investigative review.

The Thread That Linked Two Countries

S21 GAD
S21 VisionX

No hash match. No headline file. Just a blanket, a note, and a connection across borders

The Crypto List

S21 GAD
S21 VisionX

It looked synthetic. The system proved it wasn’t

The Clean Slate That Wasn’t

S21 GAD
S21 VisionX

Nothing visible. Nothing stored. Distribution doesn’t always leave a trail you can see.

The Five Minute Breakthrough

S21 GAD
S21 VisionX

600,000 files. One new victim. A five-minute head start that made the difference.

From Revenge to Redemption

S21 GAD
S21 VisionX

One victim. One image. Five places it should never have been

View all case studies

Reduce missed intelligence without reducing investigative control

Support investigators with global intelligence visibility while keeping assessment, safeguarding review and operational decisions under investigator control.

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