UK Tech Firms Ordered to Block Unsolicited Sexual Images Under New Online Safety Rules
Britain has introduced new online safety regulations that require technology companies to block unsolicited sexual images, marking a major step in the country’s campaign to combat online abuse and growing risks tied to artificial intelligence. The rules, which take effect on Thursday, expand the responsibilities of platforms to protect users from cyberflashing and related offences.
Cyberflashing Declared a Priority Offence
Cyberflashing became a criminal offence in England and Wales in January 2024, with offenders facing prison sentences of up to two years. It has now been elevated to a priority offence under the UK’s Online Safety Act, meaning that major platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X must actively detect and prevent the circulation of such content. Dating platforms and pornographic websites will also fall under the new requirements.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasised the government’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment. “Platforms are now required by law to detect and prevent this material,” she said. “The internet must be a space where women and girls feel safe, respected, and able to thrive.” A survey conducted in September revealed that one in three teenage girls had received unsolicited sexual images, underscoring the need for stronger protections.
Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, will now consult on the exact measures companies must adopt to comply with the law.
Global Backlash Over Deepfake Abuse on X
The global debate over digital safety intensified this week after France launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X. Authorities accused the site of hosting sexually explicit deepfake images generated through its chatbot, Grok, labelling the content “manifestly illegal.”
The European Commission has also expressed alarm, stating on Tuesday that it was “very seriously” examining Grok’s so-called “spicy mode” and warning that such features “have no place in Europe.”
Kendall urged X to take immediate action against the spread of intimate deepfakes, describing the content as “absolutely appalling.” Ofcom confirmed that it had contacted X to clarify how the platform intends to meet its legal duties in the United Kingdom. Indian regulators have issued similar demands for explanations.
Despite the mounting scrutiny, X’s Safety team insisted on Sunday that it removes illegal content and suspends offending accounts. However, Musk appeared to dismiss the concerns, responding to edited images of public figures with laughing emojis on his personal account.
with inputs from Reuters