UK Tech Platforms Face 48-Hour Deadline to Remove Non-Consensual Intimate Content Under New Law

The UK government is tightening the screws on tech giants with a proposed law that would require platforms to remove non-consensual intimate imagery within 48 hours of it being reported—or face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue and even potential service bans in the UK.

Announced as an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, the measure is designed to tackle the growing threat of “deepfake” pornography, “nudification” tools, and other forms of digital abuse targeting women and girls. The government’s technology secretary, Liz Kendall, made it clear: “The days of tech firms having a free pass are over.”

One Report, One Removal: A Game-Changer for Victims

One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is its “one-and-done” approach. Victims will no longer have to flag the same abusive content on multiple platforms individually. Once reported, platforms must remove the image everywhere it appears—and block any future uploads of the same content.

This cross-platform enforcement is a major step toward reducing the emotional and logistical burden on survivors of intimate image abuse.

Broad Powers to Block Rogue Sites

The law would also empower internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to websites hosting such content, even if they operate outside the UK’s jurisdiction. This mirrors tactics used in anti-piracy enforcement and signals a more aggressive stance on digital safety.

Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, will oversee enforcement, placing intimate image abuse on par with child sexual abuse material and terrorist content under the Online Safety Act.

Starmer: “The Online World is the Frontline”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer framed the issue as part of a broader societal battle: “The online world is the frontline of the 21st-century battle against violence against women and girls.” He emphasized that the government is moving swiftly to crack down on AI-powered abuse tools and chatbots that facilitate harassment.

Global Context: Europe’s Push for Digital Protection

The UK’s move aligns with a growing trend across Europe. France has already initiated a ban on social media for under-15s and recently raided X’s Paris offices as part of an investigation into deepfake content generated by its Grok chatbot. Meanwhile, the UK itself is considering a similar ban for under-16s, following in the footsteps of Ireland and other European nations.

Tech Firms on Notice

The message from Westminster is unequivocal: platforms must act fast, act decisively, and act responsibly—or face the consequences. With fines potentially reaching into the billions and the threat of being blocked in one of the world’s largest digital markets, the stakes have never been higher for Silicon Valley and beyond.

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