The UK Government has announced a significant update to the Online Safety Act, classifying the sharing of intimate images without consent as a “priority offence.” This new measure will require social media platforms to proactively remove non-consensual intimate content or face severe penalties, including fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.
Under the new provisions, tech companies will be legally obligated to identify and prevent intimate image abuse, marking it as one of the most severe forms of online crime. Failure to comply with the new regulations could lead to substantial fines, enforced by the regulator Ofcom. These changes, announced by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, are part of a broader effort to curb online sexual offending and combat the rise of misogynistic content on social media.
The introduction of this law is a key element of the UK Government’s broader initiative to tackle violence against women and girls, with a goal of reducing these crimes by half within the next decade. The reforms are especially crucial for protecting women and girls, many of whom are disproportionately affected by online abuse.
The rise in online intimate image abuse, often referred to as “revenge porn,” has escalated in recent years, leaving victims devastated. Over one-third of women in the UK have experienced some form of online abuse, according to government statistics. This new law is seen as a critical step in addressing these issues and ensuring that tech companies take more responsibility for the content shared on their platforms.
Online Sexual Offending and Its Impact
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle described the surge in online intimate image abuse as “intolerable,” stating that the consequences are far-reaching for victims. “As well as being devastating for victims, these crimes have also contributed to the creation of a misogynistic culture on social media that can spread into potentially dangerous relationships offline,” Kyle said.
He emphasised the government’s determination to tackle these crimes from every angle, starting with their origins online. “That is why we will classify these vile and cowardly offences as the most severe types of crime under the Online Safety Act. Social media firms will face extra legal obligations—backed up by big fines—to uproot this content from their sites.”
The law aims to prevent future generations from becoming desensitised to the damaging effects of intimate image abuse, highlighting the government’s focus on long-term change.
Tackling a National Emergency
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips called intimate image abuse “an appalling, invasive crime” and urged technology companies to do more. “We will use every tool available to achieve our unprecedented mission of halving violence against women and girls within a decade, and this is an important step forward.”
Phillips said the government was committed to addressing the issue in both physical and online spaces, calling it a national emergency. “Platforms must take responsibility for the content they host, and we must ensure victims receive the support they deserve,” she added.
Clear Message to Tech Companies
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones also underscored the significance of this legal update, noting that intimate image abuse is a “deeply misogynistic crime” that should be eradicated. She said that today’s announcement builds on previous progress, including making it a specific offence to share intimate images without consent.
The updated legislation sends a clear message to tech companies that they must act decisively. “Remove it without delay or face the full force of the law,” Davies-Jones warned, underscoring that tech platforms will no longer be able to “turn a blind eye” to such content.
Advocacy and Support
Georgia Harrison, a journalist and advocate for online safety, expressed her support for the new legislation. As a victim of image-based sexual abuse, Harrison said that the reforms would have shielded her from exploitation and prevented platforms from legally monetising harmful content.
Harrison said, “This new legislation could have shielded me from such exploitation and, more importantly, validated that my voice matters. I earnestly hope tech companies will take this seriously and implement meaningful changes to their algorithms and corporate policies to prevent this type of abuse.”
She applauded the government’s efforts in taking concrete steps to address the rise of violence against women and girls, calling the new law a “promising start.”
Looking Ahead
The Online Safety Act is set to come into force in spring 2024, with intimate image offences now being treated as a priority alongside other illegal content such as public order offences, drug sales, and weapons trade. Ofcom will be responsible for enforcing compliance, with the power to impose severe fines on those who fail to meet their legal obligations.
This legal overhaul marks a major shift in how the UK addresses online abuse, signalling that the government is prepared to take decisive action to make the internet a safer place for everyone.
