Revenge porn will soon be classified as a top-tier offence under the Online Safety Act. This change requires social media companies to actively remove such content and implement measures to prevent its appearance.
Non-compliance will result in hefty fines. The government expects this change, set to take effect in the spring, to drive advancements in technology, including AI, to combat harmful material.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stated that the responsibility will fall on firms to eliminate such content. He emphasised that once this becomes a priority offence, social media platforms must ensure their algorithms and systems block this content from being uploaded.
This move aims to protect countless women from the degradation and suffering associated with activities such as revenge porn.
The Online Safety Act mandates that social media firms, search engines, and other services are responsible for user safety. However, some Tory Party members fear it might go too far, potentially infringing on free speech.
Technology companies have also raised concerns about being held liable for legal but harmful content. Ofcom, the media regulator, is tasked with enforcing the strongest protections, particularly for children.
New online safety laws will be fit for the digital age, naming offences from revenge porn to dealing drugs and weapons online.
We are also including specific offences to better target perpetrators of domestic violence and threats to rape and kill people.#SafeOnline
— Department for Culture, Media and Sport (@DCMS) February 5, 2022
After its passage in October 2023, the act’s provisions are being implemented. New criminal offences under the act began in January 2024, including intimate image abuse, promoting serious self-harm, cyber flashing, spreading false information to cause harm, threatening communications, and epilepsy trolling.
The technology secretary is also considering tougher laws on misinformation following recent UK riots spurred by false claims about the Southport attacker. He is examining the role of online activity during that period to ensure the regulations are future-proof.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Assembly member Marc Berman introduced the AB 1380 to strengthen California’s laws against revenge porn, closing loopholes to prosecute perpetrators and protect victims from trauma and humiliation. (Read More)
- When Sharing is Not Caring: Victims of Revenge Pornography highlights the inadequacies of current revenge porn laws, advocating for a criminal framework without specific intent provisions to better achieve justice for victims. (Read More)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the change in the Online Safety Act about revenge porn?
Sharing revenge porn is now the most serious type of offence with mandatory proactive removal by social media firms.
When will the new rules about revenge porn come into force?
The new rules are expected to come into force in the spring.
What are the penalties for companies not complying with the new Online Safety Act?
Companies that don’t comply will face large fines.
Who is responsible for enforcing the Online Safety Act?
Media regulator Ofcom is in charge of enforcing the Online Safety Act.
What new criminal offences were introduced in January 2024 under the Online Safety Act?
New offences include intimate image abuse, encouraging self-harm, cyberflashing, sending harmful false information, threatening communications, and epilepsy trolling.