The top trust and safety events to attend in 2026

The best content moderation service , incorporating elements like image moderation and a robust profanity filter, is like the most skilled stage crew in a theater production: it goes unnoticed. What do we mean by that? Well, when content moderation is running effectively, it should be invisible to the user. An engaged audience having a safe and seamless experience is the hallmark of a good content moderation team at work behind the scenes, tirelessly sifting through UGC to protect users from harm without ever drawing attention to themselves.

Yet, despite the often unseen nature of our work, we also believe that it’s important for those of us in the content moderation industry to step out from behind our screens and connect with our peers. Meeting face-to-face allows us to share the challenges we face, celebrate our successes, and exchange notes. We’re talking about getting out to the growing roster of trust and safety events.

“Events like these pose a unique opportunity to facilitate discourse among stakeholders and shape best practices,” says Alexandra Popken, WebPurify’s VP of Trust & Safety.

Alex adds that some of the industry-specific events can also give practitioners key insights into specific product trends and corresponding trust and safety concerns, while broader safety-focused events empower companies like WebPurify to share our expertise and learn from others in the space.

“At WebPurify, we believe that transparency is key to advancing trust and safety across the industry, and the only way this can happen is by bringing people together, breaking down barriers, generating ideas, and freely discussing solutions,” Alex says.

Below, we highlight our favorite industry events – the conferences and summits where all the unsung heroes of the internet can find a community, inspiration, and a rich exchange of ideas that are as rewarding as they are essential to our collective mission.

General Trust & Safety

TSPA EMEA Summit

Date: May 18, 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Hosted by the Trust & Safety Professional Association, the TSPA EMEA Summit is one of the key regional gatherings for trust and safety practitioners in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and WebPurify’s Head of Trust & Safety, EMEA, Ailís Daly, sits on the Program Committee. The 2026 event will take place at The Gibson Hotel in Dublin and, in response to member feedback, will use a refreshed, members-only format focused on closed-door discussions, collaborative problem-solving, and peer knowledge-sharing. For trust and safety teams looking for a more practitioner-led event, this is one to watch.

TrustCon

Dates: July 22-22, 2026
Location: San Francisco, CA

TrustCon is the preeminent Trust and Safety conference, uniting industry leaders, academics, civil society, and media from around the globe. This annual event serves as a pivotal platform for sharing cutting-edge research, discussing emerging challenges, and exploring collaborative solutions in trust and safety.

Attendees can expect a dynamic agenda featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, all aimed at forging stronger, safer online communities.

“I always look forward to TrustCon, which is the conference dedicated to trust and safety professionals,” Alex says. “Having worked in the industry for over a decade, I have many friends and former colleagues in the space and it feels like a reunion for many of us. On top of that, the content is diverse and excellent — I always learn a lot — and the atmosphere is warm and inviting to platforms and service providers alike.”

Marketplace Risk

Dates: May 12-14, 2026 (San Francisco); September 14-16, 2026 (New York City)
Locations: San Francisco, NYC

The Marketplace Risk Conference is one of the largest gatherings of its kind, drawing professionals from sectors including e-commerce, fintech, sharing economy platforms, and gig economy stakeholders, to address the unique challenges and opportunities in managing risk in digital marketplaces. Attendees can look forward to talks from industry leaders, interactive workshops, and networking sessions designed to share best practices, innovative solutions, and strategies for building safer, more resilient online marketplaces.

Marketplace Risk Global Summit

Dates: November 2-3, 2026
Location: London, UK

Marketplace Risk Global Summit is one of the biggest events in Europe for professionals working across digital risk, trust and safety, fraud prevention, compliance, and regulation. Held in London, the conference is geared toward founders, operators, and platform leaders looking to exchange best practices and hear real-world lessons from across the digital economy. With more than 500 attendees, 125 speakers, and 50 sessions advertised for the 2026 event, it’s a major date for anyone working on safer, more resilient digital platforms.

Trust & Safety Summit

Dates: March 24-25, 2026
Location: London, UK

Though it’s hosted in the UK, the Trust & Safety Summit is global in scope and a pivotal gathering for anyone working in trust and safety. The event aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, technologists, and researchers, and features a rich program of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions that cover a range of topics, from combating online abuse and fraud to implementing effective content moderation strategies and promoting digital wellbeing.

Trust & Safety Forum

Dates: March 31 – April 1, 2026
Location: Lille, France

The Trust & Safety Forum, in association with the International Cybersecurity Forum (FIC), is a global event focused on promoting safer digital environments. It brings together diverse stakeholders – platforms, regulators, NGOs, and law enforcement – to discuss innovative solutions for combating harmful online content, including child exploitation, misinformation and disinformation, and hate speech. The forum emphasizes collaboration and operational cooperation across sectors, helping organizations comply with regulations such as the EU Digital Services Act.

Trust & Safety Festival

Dates: October 8-9
Location: Sydney

The inaugural Trust & Safety Festival was held in Amsterdam in November 2024 and brought together trust and safety professionals, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss innovative solutions for creating safer online environments. This year, the team is joining forces with the Centre for Social Research to host the first ever Trust & Safety Festival in India. Featuring workshops, panels, and discussions, the two-day festival is designed to give the Global South a voice in shaping the future of trust and safety.

Merchant Risk Council

Dates: March 16-19, 2026 (Las Vegas); April 13-15, 2026 (London), May 25-26, 2026 (São Paolo); June 23, 2026 (Melbourne)
Locations: Las Vegas, São Paolo, Melbourne, London

Merchant Risk Council (MRC) is a global non-profit membership association for payments and fraud prevention professionals. As well as offering educational resources, certifications, and industry insights, MRC also hosts conferences such as MRC Vegas, MRC London, MRC Melbourne, and MRC Connects, where visitors can network, attend workshops, and learn about the latest fraud and payment solutions. MRC hosts events nearly every month in locations all around the world, on topics ranging from fraud prevention to generative AI.

All Tech Is Human – Responsible Tech Summit

Dates: October 29, 2026
Locations: NYC

All Tech Is Human is dedicated to improving technology’s impact on society by advocating for ethical technology and responsible innovation. The organization brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including technologists, policymakers, and advocates, to foster dialogue and collaboration. Its October Responsible Tech Summit in NYC, will discuss how platforms can embed accountability in the AI era and work to ensure that technology advances in ways that align with the public interest.

Gaming

Game Developers Conference

Date: March 9, 2026
Location: San Francisco, CA

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the principal event for professionals in the gaming industry, offering talks, workshops, and networking opportunities. It covers all aspects of game development, from programming to design, and brings together developers, publishers, and industry experts. GDC is a key platform for advancing skills, sharing innovations, and exploring future trends.

Gamescom

Date: August 26-30 2026
Location: Cologne, Germany

Gamescom is one of the world’s largest videogame events, attracting gamers, developers, and industry professionals. It offers a mix of entertainment, product showcases, and business opportunities, and features world premieres, hands-on game demos, and panel discussions. While not strictly a trust and safety event, Gamescom offers a great opportunity to network and speak to the industry about some of the important issues in gaming.

Dating

Global Dating Insights

Dates: March 17, 2026 (NYC); September 16, 2026 (London)
Locations: New York City; London

Global Dating Insights (GDI) is a leading source of news, analysis, and information for the online dating industry, engaging over 30,000 monthly readers worldwide. GDI hosts industry events, including conferences in cities such as London and New York, where professionals from the dating industry gather to discuss innovations and trends. WebPurify has attended the GDI New York Conference in recent years and found it to be highly informative. It’s going to be a regular fixture in our calendars!

Child & Family Safety

IPPPRI Annual Conference

Dates: June 8-10, 2026
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

Organised by Anglia Ruskin University’s International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute, the IPPPRI annual conference brings together leaders from government, policing, academia, industry, and the third sector to discuss new approaches to tackling online child sexual abuse and exploitation. The 2026 theme is “Prioritizing Prevention,” with the event running from the afternoon of June 8 to lunchtime on June 10 at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon. For anyone working at the intersection of child safety, investigation, and prevention, it offers a strong research and policy focus.

Crimes Against Children Conference

Date: August 2-6, 2026
Location: Dallas, TX

The Crimes Against Children Conference addresses the urgent issue of child exploitation and online safety. The largest event of its kind, it brings together professionals from law enforcement, child protection agencies, and advocacy groups to share knowledge, strategies, and technologies.

Family Online Safety Institute

Dates: June 9, 2026
Location: Brussels

The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) annual conference is another great trust and safety event designed with children and families in mind. Last year’s event explored how protective measures can evolve into tools that empower users to confidently navigate the digital world. WebPurify attended the conference in recent years and appreciated its diverse mix of policymakers, industry leaders, educators, and parents, all providing their unique perspective on promoting digital wellbeing and effective internet safety practices.

Brand Safety in Digital Advertising

Brand Safety Summit

Dates: March 19, 2026 (Singapore); September 2026 (London); November 2026 (NYC)
Locations: NYC; London; Singapore

Bringing together media, marketing, and tech professionals, the Brand Safety Summit addresses the latest challenges – and solutions – in protecting brand reputations online, covering topics such as ad fraud, moderation around branded content, and ethical advertising practices. Expect insightful discussions, in-depth case studies, and plenty of excellent networking opportunities.

Cybersecurity

Global Anti-Scam Summit

Date: June 9-10, 2026 (Lisbon); September 2-3, 2026 (San Francisco); November 10-11, 2026 (Bangkok)
Location: Lisbon; San Francisco; Bangkok

Organised by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), the Global Anti-Scam Summit brings together cybersecurity experts, law enforcement, and financial institutions to tackle online scams and fraud. The event showcases current best practices in detecting, preventing, and responding to online scams, and we like the fact that it focuses on protecting both consumers and businesses.

RSA Conference

Date: March 23-26, 2026
Location: San Francisco

The RSA Conference is one of the leading global cybersecurity events with a focus on anticipating risks and countering threats. It’s an opportunity for professionals from all corners of the cybersecurity world to come together to share ideas, access cutting-edge knowledge, and network with peers.

Artificial Intelligence

Voice & AI

Date: January 19, 2026
Location: Davos

Voice & AI is a pioneering event dedicated to the exploration and advancement of voice technology and artificial intelligence. In recent years, the conference featured the likes of Google, OpenAI, Nvidia and more, with panel discussions and interactive workshops focusing on the impact of AI and voice technology on sectors including healthcare, business and entertainment. With AI becoming such a mainstay in our lives, this is an event that will take on much greater significance in the coming years.

CogX Festival

Dates: May 7, 2026
Locations: Los Angeles

CogX Festival is another interesting event that stands at the intersection of AI, technology, and society, addressing the pivotal question: “How do we get the next 10 years right?”. Hosted in LA, it attracts a diverse audience of industry thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, and researchers, offering a dynamic mix of talks, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to spark dialogue and greater collaboration on the biggest challenges of our time.

DMEXCO

Date: September 23-24, 2026
Location: Cologne, Germany

DMEXCO is Europe’s leading digital marketing and technology event, bringing together marketers, tech professionals, and innovators to explore the future of digital marketing, advertising, and media. The annual event looks at the creative use of new technologies, including how AI is reshaping digital advertising and the importance of maintaining trust and safety.

Human Rights

RightsCon

Date: May 5-8, 2026
Location: Lusaka, Zambia

RightsCon is the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age. It draws a diverse group of activists, business leaders, policymakers, and technologists with the aim of debating and tackling issues such as internet censorship, surveillance, digital inclusion, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. Over the past 12 years, RightsCon has been held in key hubs around the globe, including Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Taiwan, and now Africa.

In conclusion

It’s trust and safety events like these that drive our industry forward and ensure a fresh flow of ideas and information.

“We – service providers, platforms, academia, government and civil society – collectively care about technology, the challenges created by and facing technology and its users, and we’re better off as a society when there is candid discourse and collaboration,” Alex says.