Social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and X will be legally required to remove revenge porn images within 48 hours of receiving a complaint, as new regulations take effect in the UK, reports BritPanorama.
Under these rules, tech firms must swiftly detect intimate images shared without consent, a move intended to protect victims of sexual image abuse, which has been described as devastating by Violence Against Women and Girls Minister Alex Davies-Jones. Failure to comply could result in social media sites facing significant penalties, including potential fines of up to ten percent of their global revenue or even being blocked in the UK.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, reflecting on his prior role as head of the Crown Prosecution Service, noted the “lifelong pain and trauma” caused by violence and abuse, stating, “The online world is the frontline of the 21st century battle against violence against women and girls.”
The government is also taking steps to address the issue of non-consensual image sharing more generally. Measures include initiatives aimed at accelerating the removal process for harmful content, obligating companies to ensure that any non-consensual image is taken down swiftly. Currently, victims face significant delays in having intimate images removed, often having to pursue platforms for days.
Additionally, ministers are considering implementing digital watermarking for revenge porn images, akin to procedures used for child abuse images and content related to terrorism. This would allow victims to report an image only once, streamlining the process of automatic deletion for subsequent uploads.
The regulator Ofcom is set to publish guidelines in May regarding the use of “proactive tech” to ensure harmful content is effectively identified and managed by these platforms.
As the landscape of online safety evolves, the urgency of addressing these issues indicates a significant step toward protecting individuals from the repercussions of digital abuse.
New regulatory frameworks highlight the UK’s commitment to tackling online harms, reflecting broader discussions about responsibility and accountability in the digital age. As platforms adapt to these changes, the implications for users and companies will require ongoing scrutiny to ensure effective implementation and compliance.
