UK to demand social platforms take down abusive intimate images within 48 hours
The Register
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The UK government has announced a new measure to combat the sharing of intimate images without consent by requiring social platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of being flagged. This move, part of an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, aims to treat non-consensual intimate images with the same severity as child sexual abuse and terrorism material. Platforms failing to comply could face significant fines or have their services blocked in the UK. The policy reflects growing concerns over the misuse of technology, particularly following incidents like Elon Musk's Grok chatbot generating explicit images, which led to public backlash earlier this year.
The amendment simplifies the process for victims by allowing them to report abusive images just once, rather than repeatedly contacting multiple platforms or monitoring for new uploads. The UK government also plans to classify non-consensual intimate images as a "priority offence" under the Online Safety Act, aligning them with crimes like child abuse and terrorism. Additionally, Ofcom is considering measures to digitally mark these images so they cannot be reposted without being automatically removed.
The policy has been welcomed by some but criticized for its 48-hour removal window, which some argue could still cause significant harm if left online for that long. Lawyer Hanna Basha questioned why the deadline wasn't shorter, such as 24 or even 12 hours, emphasizing the need for faster takedowns to minimize victim distress. She also called for platforms to provide clear reporting mechanisms and accountability measures.
The UK's actions come amid broader scrutiny of tech companies, including an ongoing EU investigation into X (formerly Twitter) under the Digital Services Act. The probe focuses on Grok's willingness to generate explicit content, particularly involving children. While X has maintained its commitment to preventing child sexual exploitation and unwanted content, critics argue that stronger accountability measures are necessary to protect users.
Overall, the UK's new policy marks a significant step in addressing non-consensual intimate images online. By holding platforms accountable and prioritizing victim protection, the government aims to set a precedent for tech companies to act more responsibly. This move aligns
Verticals
tech
Originally published on The Register on 2/19/2026