Cloudflare expands Project Galileo to shield media from AI misuse

Cloudflare has announced the expansion of Project Galileo to help independent media and non-profit organisations control how artificial intelligence is able to use their original content.

Participants in the programme, including 750 journalists, independent news organisations, and non-profits involved in news gathering globally, will be given free access to Cloudflare's Bot Management and AI Crawl Control services. These services aim to strengthen defences against unwanted automated traffic and AI crawlers accessing publishers' websites.

Addressing new threats

Project Galileo, which began in 2014, initially focused on protecting journalists and human rights workers from online attacks. The latest expansion is a response to concerns that artificial intelligence models can access, use, and potentially repurpose original journalistic content without the consent of publishers.

Cloudflare stated that the shift towards AI-driven information discovery could threaten both the economic models of smaller news organisations and the accessibility of reliable news sources at a local level. As audiences increasingly rely on AI summaries, the opportunity to directly engage with original reporting may be reduced, impacting revenue and community information flows.

"I believe in journalism, and I believe that the health of local, independent news is essential for a healthy Internet and a healthy society. When we started Project Galileo, we wanted to help stop cyberattacks from suppressing the online voices of journalists and human rights workers. Now, that vision is expanding and we want to ensure the evolution of AI works in their favour, not against it," said Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. 

Cloudflare's efforts to address these issues come at a critical time for smaller newsrooms and non-profits, many of which have limited technical resources to monitor and restrict how AI services interact with their content. The company is offering these new protections at no cost to those involved, with the intention of helping them maintain control over their material and supporting their business models.

Supporting independent journalism

Since its inception, Project Galileo has targeted web-based threats that can undermine independent voices and democratic processes. More recent efforts have extended to helping major publishers and creators monitor and manage AI-driven web crawlers. The expansion of these services to non-profits signifies a broadening of Cloudflare's approach towards the challenges posed by evolving technology.

Cloudflare is also extending its commitments, stating its intention to provide broader access to artificial intelligence tools for non-profit and public interest groups. This is designed to assist these organisations in using AI to advance their own missions and operations.

The importance of equipping independent media with advanced security tools was highlighted by several industry group leaders.

"In an era defined by AI and digital disruption, providing robust tools to independent media isn't just support - it's a lifeline. Cloudflare's commitment to equipping Internews and its partners with secure, Business-level access has empowered journalists in high-risk environments to withstand cyber threats and uphold press freedom. Because when information flows safely, communities thrive," said Meera Selva, CEO of Internews Europe. 

Other leaders emphasised the practical value of these tools for smaller publishers.

"Independent publishers need tools that are easy to use and affordable, so they can focus on growing their business. LION appreciates the security and protection Cloudflare has provided our members through Project Galileo for years, and we're excited to see more resources now available to help members manage the rapidly evolving landscape of digital security," said Sarah Gustavus Lim, Membership Director at LION. 

The question of sustainable revenue generation for independent media was also addressed.

"Independent media's ability to fulfil its democratic function by gathering news and distributing trusted information depends on generating revenues free from political or business influence. By monitoring and monetizing the crawling of publisher's sites, media can protect their intellectual property while developing new revenue streams to support their quality journalism," said Ryan Powell, Head of Innovation and Media Business at International Press Institute. 

Adapting to AI

The new measures are designed to enable non-profits and independent news outlets to adapt their operations as AI-powered systems reshape how information is found and consumed online. Cloudflare's expansion of Project Galileo is focused on maintaining the visibility, financial viability, and security of original reporting in this changing environment.