The United Kingdom government has introduced legislation that would require technology companies and online platforms to remove intimate images posted without a person’s consent within 48 hours of receiving a report. The measure forms part of amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill and is designed to impose a clear legal deadline for the removal of non-consensual intimate content.
Under the proposal, companies must act after a valid report is made and ensure that the same image is removed across their services. The government said victims will only need to submit a single report, after which platforms will be responsible for identifying and removing identical versions of the content. The rules apply to intimate images shared without consent, including explicit deepfake material and other digitally manipulated images.
The legislation would classify non-consensual intimate images as priority illegal content under the UK’s online safety framework. Platforms that fail to remove reported content within 48 hours could face financial penalties of up to 10 % of their qualifying worldwide revenue. In serious cases, companies could also face additional enforcement measures, including service restrictions.
The government said platforms will be expected to use available technologies, such as hash-matching tools, to prevent the re-upload of images that have already been reported and removed. Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, will oversee compliance and enforcement once the law takes effect.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the requirement is intended to shift responsibility away from victims and onto technology firms to respond quickly and consistently. Officials said the changes are aimed at reducing the length of time harmful images remain accessible online after they are reported.
The bill is progressing through Parliament. Further guidance is expected to set out how platforms must design reporting systems, verify complaints, and document compliance with the 48-hour removal deadline.