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The UK government has announced plans to force social media platforms to remove abusive intimate images within 48 hours, aiming to provide a safer online environment for users. But will this measure be enough to address the harm caused by such content?
The UK government has announced plans to force social media platforms to remove abusive intimate images within 48 hours.The aim is to provide a safer online environment for users, particularly women and girls who are disproportionately affected by non-consensual intimate images.Some experts have expressed concerns over the 48-hour deadline, arguing that it may not be sufficient to address the harm caused by such content.The government plans to digitally mark such images, ensuring they are automatically removed if reposted.
The United Kingdom has taken a significant step towards combating online abuse, announcing plans to force social media platforms to remove abusive intimate images within 48 hours. This move comes in response to growing concerns over the proliferation of non-consensual intimate images on social media, with victims often being forced to endure the trauma of repeated exposure to these images.
According to reports, the UK government has added an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, requiring platforms to "remove this content no more than 48 hours after it is flagged to them." This measure aims to provide a safer online environment for users, particularly women and girls who are disproportionately affected by non-consensual intimate images.
The decision to introduce this regulation has been welcomed by many, including lawyer Hanna Basha, who has acted in several high-profile cases involving revenge pornography. However, some experts have expressed concerns over the 48-hour deadline, arguing that it may not be sufficient to address the harm caused by such content.
"Why 48 hours and not 24 or even 12?" asked Ms. Basha. "Every hour these images remain online compounds the harm." She also emphasized the need for clearer contact details on platforms, making it easier for victims to report abusive content without having to navigate complex reporting processes.
The government has assured that plans are being made to digitally mark such images, ensuring they are automatically removed if reposted. This measure aims to prevent the spread of non-consensual intimate images and provide a faster response to instances of abuse.
The move is part of a broader effort by the UK government to strengthen online safety regulations. In recent years, there have been numerous high-profile cases involving social media platforms and their handling of sensitive content. The introduction of this new regulation seeks to address these concerns and promote a safer online environment for all users.
The amendment has also sparked attention from European authorities, with an EU probe launched into the actions of social media platforms following the production of explicit imagery by Elon Musk's chatbot Grok. This probe highlights the growing importance of regulating social media companies to prevent the spread of harmful content.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that online safety will remain a pressing concern for governments and social media platforms alike. The UK's aggressive move to combat online abuse serves as a reminder of the need for robust regulations and swift action in response to instances of harm.
The UK government has announced plans to force social media platforms to remove abusive intimate images within 48 hours, aiming to provide a safer online environment for users. But will this measure be enough to address the harm caused by such content?
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-UKs-Aggressive-Move-to-Combat-Online-Abuse-A-New-Era-for-Social-Media-Regulation-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2026/02/19/uk_intimate_images_online/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tech-firms-will-have-to-take-down-abusive-images-within-48-hours-under-new-law-to-protect-women-and-girls
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6ed1549yvo
Published: Thu Feb 19 12:48:43 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
