Tech executives could be held personally criminally liable for failing to comply with new rules requiring the rapid takedown of non-consensual intimate images.
As part of the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, digital platforms will be legally required to remove non-consensually posted intimate images within 48 hours of a request from the victim.
The rule, which will be enforced by Ofcom, will hold senior executives at these platforms personally liable if the images are not removed without a reasonable excuse.
Those failing to comply could face a fine, imprisonment or both.
The latest amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill will be debated in the House of Commons next week.
“Too many women have had their lives shattered by having their intimate images shared online without consent,” said Tech Secretary Liz Kendall.
“This government is uncompromising in our mission to protect women and girls online, and we have taken action to stop tech firms from publishing this abusive content.
“In February we told platforms that they must remove reported non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours. Now we are going further by introducing measures meaning that senior tech executives could be criminally liable if their companies fail to act when required to do so by Ofcom.
“Protecting women and girls online is not optional, it is a responsibility that sits squarely with every tech company’s leadership.”
