UK Orders Tech Platforms to Stop Unsolicited Sexual Images Under New Online Safety Rules

Britain has begun enforcing tougher online safety obligations that require technology companies to actively block the distribution of unsolicited sexual images, as governments intensify efforts to address online abuse and the growing misuse of artificial intelligence.

From Thursday, preventing so-called cyberflashing becomes a legal duty for major digital platforms under the UK’s Online Safety Act. The requirement applies to social networks, video platforms, dating apps and pornography websites, including services operated by companies such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X.

Cyberflashing—sending explicit images without consent—was criminalised in England and Wales last year, with offenders facing prison sentences of up to two years. The new rules elevate the offence to a priority category under the Online Safety Act, shifting responsibility onto platforms to detect and prevent the content before it reaches users.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said platforms now have a legal obligation to stop such material from circulating, stressing that online spaces must be safe for women and girls. Her comments follow survey data published in September showing that around one in three teenage girls had received unsolicited sexual images.

Britain’s media regulator Ofcom said it will consult on the specific technical and operational measures companies must adopt to comply with the law, including how platforms identify and intercept harmful content at scale.

The move comes amid mounting international concern over sexually explicit deepfake images generated using AI tools. In France, prosecutors have opened an investigation into X over the spread of AI-generated explicit images linked to its chatbot Grok. The European Commission has also warned that certain features of the chatbot have no place under EU rules.

Kendall has urged X to act swiftly to curb the spread of intimate deepfakes, describing the material as unacceptable. Ofcom confirmed it has contacted the company to assess how it is meeting its legal responsibilities in the UK, while regulators in India have also sought explanations.

X has said it removes illegal content and suspends accounts involved in abuse. However, the platform’s response has drawn criticism after owner Elon Musk appeared to downplay concerns online.

UK officials say the new enforcement regime marks a shift from voluntary moderation to mandatory prevention, as authorities seek to ensure platforms take responsibility for protecting users from abuse amplified by emerging AI technologies.