Tech executives may face legal fees if their firms fail to take away non-consensual intimate photos, the federal government has introduced.
The federal government will desk the above as an modification to the Crime and Policing Invoice, which will likely 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 photos, as instructed by Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator. Those that commit the offence and not using a ‘cheap excuse’ may very well be liable to imprisonment or a superb, or certainly each.
Ofcom has an obligation to control all web providers and suppliers to make sure that unlawful content material – together with terrorism, youngster sexual abuse materials, and image-based abuse – is prevented and eliminated. Underneath the On-line Security Act 2023, Ofcom has the ability to subject enforcement actions in opposition to non-compliant entities, together with issuing fines of as much as 10% of the corporate’s turnover or £18million – whichever is bigger – and, in essentially the most severe circumstances, making use of to a court docket to dam a web site within the UK.
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For the previous three years, Glamour has been elevating the alarm on image-based abuse, partnering with the Finish Violence In opposition to Ladies Coalition, Jodie Campaigns, Professor Clare McGlynn, and Not Your Porn to name for a complete Picture-Primarily based Abuse Regulation.
Know-how Secretary Liz Kendall tells Glamour, “Too many ladies have had their lives shattered by having their intimate photos shared on-line with out consent.
“This authorities is uncompromising in our mission to guard girls and ladies 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 legislation requiring tech platforms to take down non-consensual intimate photos 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 ladies on-line isn’t non-obligatory; it’s a accountability that sits squarely with each tech firm’s management.”
Revenge Porn Helpline offers recommendation, steerage and help to victims of intimate image-based abuse over the age of 18 who reside within the UK. You possibly can 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.
