Tech executives might face felony expenses if their firms fail to take away non-consensual intimate pictures, the federal government has introduced.
The federal government will desk the above as an modification to the Crime and Policing Invoice, which can be debated within the Home of Commons subsequent week. If handed, this is able to imply senior tech executives may very well be held personally liable if their platforms do not take away non-consensual pictures, as instructed by Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator. Those that commit the offence with no ‘cheap excuse’ may very well be liable to imprisonment or a high quality, or certainly each.
Ofcom has an obligation to manage all web providers and suppliers to make sure that unlawful content material – together with terrorism, baby sexual abuse materials, and image-based abuse – is prevented and eliminated. Below the On-line Security Act 2023, Ofcom has the ability to situation enforcement actions towards non-compliant entities, together with issuing fines of as much as 10% of the corporate’s turnover or £18million – whichever is bigger – and, in probably the most severe instances, making use of to a court docket to dam a website within the UK.
Learn Extra
What occurred when Glamour went to 10 Downing Road 🪧
For the previous three years, Glamour has been elevating the alarm on image-based abuse, partnering with the Finish Violence In opposition to Girls Coalition, Jodie Campaigns, Professor Clare McGlynn, and Not Your Porn to name for a complete Picture-Primarily based Abuse Legislation.
Expertise Secretary Liz Kendall tells Glamour, “Too many ladies have had their lives shattered by having their intimate pictures shared on-line with out consent.
“This authorities is uncompromising in our mission to guard girls and women on-line, and we now have taken motion to cease tech companies from publishing this abusive content material.”
The information comes after the federal government introduced a brand new regulation requiring tech platforms to take down non-consensual intimate pictures inside a 48-hour timeframe – one thing Glamour has been campaigning for, alongside Jodie Campaigns, EVAW, Not Your Porn, and Professor Clare McGlynn.
“Now we’re going additional,” says Kendall, “By introducing measures that means that senior tech executives may very well be criminally liable if their firms fail to behave when required to take action by Ofcom.”
“Defending girls and women on-line will not be non-compulsory; it’s a duty that sits squarely with each tech firm’s management.”
Revenge Porn Helpline gives recommendation, steerage and help to victims of intimate image-based abuse over the age of 18 who reside within the UK. You may name them on 0345 6000 459.
For extra from Glamour UK‘s Lucy Morgan, comply with her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra or on TikTok at @lucyalexxandra.
