UK Plans 48-Hour Takedown Rule for Nonconsensual Intimate Images

Summary

The U.K. plans to require platforms to remove reported nonconsensual intimate images within 48 hours, with cross-platform takedowns and penalties. Proposed measures include hash matching to block reuploads.

Key points

The government plans to add the 48-hour removal deadline to the Crime and Policing Bill.
Victims would report an image once, with platforms expected to remove it across sites and block reuploads.
Proposed detection methods include digital markings and hash matching for images, including sexual deepfakes.
Noncompliant firms could face service blocking in the U.K. or fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue.
The announcement follows reports that xAI’s Grok generated millions of nonconsensual “nudified” images; Ofcom opened a probe.
Ofcom is considering a separate requirement for proactive image-blocking technology and expects to announce its decision in May; changes would depend on parliamentary approval.

Article Details

Event Type: U.K. regulatory policy announcement requiring technology companies to remove nonconsensual intimate images.
Impact: The proposed rules would require removal within 48 hours after a report, with removal across platforms and measures such as digital markings or hash matching to prevent reuploads. Noncompliant firms could face fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or service blocking. The deadline is to be imposed through an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill; Ofcom’s separate proposal for proactive image detection was still pending a decision and parliamentary approval.