Politics

UK plans to force tech firms to curb AI-driven unsolicited sexual images

Thursday, 8 January 2026 9:35AM UTC

Britain will introduce mandatory measures for technology companies to detect and block unsolicited sexual images, including AI-generated deepfakes, as part of new legal measures to combat online abuse and protect vulnerable users.

Britain has moved to force technology companies to take proactive steps to detect and prevent the unsolicited sharing of sexual images, a policy escalation officials say is needed to curb online abuse amplified by artificial intelligence. According to Benzinga, which cited Reuters, the new requirement comes into effect on January 8, 2026 and applies to major social platforms, dating apps and sites hosting adult content. ^[1]^[7]

The change formalises cyberflashing as a "priority offence" under the Online Safety Act, meaning platforms must not wait for user complaints before acting but instead implement measures to stop such material reaching users. The UK government said the move is designed to protect women and girls after survey data showed one in three teenage girls has received unsolicited sexual images. Officials have warned companies that failure to comply could lead to fines or even blocking of services in the UK. According to the government announcement, penalties could reach 10% of global revenue. ^[2]^[7]

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told ministers the law requires firms to "detect and block" the content rather than merely respond to reports, emphasising the obligation to make online spaces safer. Ofcom, the UK's media regulator, will consult on the technical standards platforms must adopt and will have the authority to enforce compliance. The regulator has already published codes of practice under the Online Safety Act to guide how companies should meet these duties. ^[1]^[2]^[6]

The move comes against a backdrop of rapidly evolving risks from AI, including a rise in sexually explicit deepfakes. European and national regulators have pressed platforms for explanations about intimate AI-generated images, with France and the European Commission scrutinising alleged breaches linked to new chatbot modes. UK ministers have publicly urged platforms such as X to address surges in intimate deepfakes. Industry observers say the technological challenge , spotting synthetic imagery at scale without overblocking legitimate content , will test the practicality of the new duty. ^[1]^[5]^[7]

Prosecutors and police meanwhile have been adapting to the legal landscape. The Crown Prosecution Service issued guidance widening the scope for charging people who send or threaten to share intimate images without consent, and courts have already recorded convictions under the new legal framework. One early case saw a convicted offender jailed after sending unsolicited explicit images to adults and a minor via messaging services. That prosecution illustrated how existing criminal sanctions, including prison terms and possible inclusion on the sex offenders register, sit alongside the platforms' new regulatory obligations. ^[4]^[3]

Critics caution that enforcement will require both robust technological solutions and clearer standards to avoid disproportionate impacts on lawful expression. Industry data and expert commentary highlight a tension between automated detection tools and false positives, while legal scholars note the practical burdens on smaller services. The government and Ofcom have signalled they will consult widely on the detailed technical measures expected of firms. ^[6]^[2]

The combined effect of criminal law, CPS guidance and the Online Safety Act's regulator-led duties marks a significant shift in how the UK expects technology firms to manage non-consensual intimate imagery: platforms now face both legal exposure for permitting such images to circulate and regulatory obligations to prevent them from appearing in the first place, with substantial fines or service restrictions as potential consequences. According to the official announcement and media reporting, the intent is to make online environments safer for those most at risk while forcing companies to confront AI-driven harms. ^[2]^[6]^[1]

##Reference Map:

^[1] (Benzinga/Reuters) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 7
^[2] (GOV.UK) - Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7
^[3] (AP News) - Paragraph 5
^[4] (CPS) - Paragraph 5
^[5] (AP News overview of Online Safety Act) - Paragraph 4
^[6] (The Guardian) - Paragraph 3, Paragraph 6
^[7] (Technology.org) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 4

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/26/01/49775429/unsolicited-nudes-now-priority-crime-in-uk-tech-platforms-face-legal-obligation-to-detect-stop-sexual-images-as-ai-risks-grow - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tech-firms-to-prevent-unwanted-nudes-under-tougher-laws-to-protect-women-and-girls-online - The UK government has announced plans to make cyberflashing—a form of online harassment involving the unsolicited sending of sexual images—a priority offence under the Online Safety Act. This move requires technology companies to proactively detect and prevent such content on their platforms. Failure to comply could result in fines up to 10% of global revenue or potential service blocking in the UK. The initiative aims to protect women and girls online, addressing the significant issue where one in three teenage girls has received unsolicited sexual images.
https://apnews.com/article/2cec412fa58c15223b3d4734413d1390 - Nicholas Hawkes, a 39-year-old convicted sex offender, became the first person in England and Wales to be convicted under the new Online Safety Act, which came into effect on January 31, 2024. Hawkes was sentenced to 5½ years in prison for sending unsolicited explicit images to a woman and a 15-year-old girl via WhatsApp and iMessage. The victims reported the incidents after taking screenshots. Cyberflashing, now a criminal offense under the new law, includes sending unsolicited sexual images via digital platforms like social media or Bluetooth.
https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/illegal-sexual-behaviour-online-including-sharing-and-threatening-share-intimate-images - The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has issued new guidance to address illegal sexual behaviour online, including sharing and threatening to share intimate images and cyberflashing. Prosecutors are now able to charge individuals who share unwanted sexual images or videos, with potential penalties including fines, imprisonment for up to two years, and inclusion on the sex offenders register. The guidance aims to hold offenders accountable and protect victims from online abuse.
https://apnews.com/article/4371bbb0d7442eed0f44bf7839443268 - The United Kingdom has passed a new online safety law aimed at increasing oversight of major tech companies like TikTok, Google, and Meta. The legislation, in development since 2021, mandates social media platforms to remove and prevent the appearance of illegal content such as child sexual abuse images, terrorist propaganda, hate speech, and posts promoting self-harm. It also targets potentially harmful but legal content for children, such as pornographic material or content that glorifies eating disorders, requiring platforms to verify users' ages and ensure children are protected.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/mar/17/social-media-companies-fines-uk-illegal-content-online-safety-act - Under the UK's new Online Safety Act, social media platforms are required to take proactive steps to prevent the sharing of illegal content, including cyberflashing. Companies that fail to comply face fines up to £18 million or 10% of their global revenue. The act lists 130 'priority offences' that tech companies must address, including non-consensual intimate images and other forms of online abuse. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, has published codes of conduct to guide platforms in implementing these measures.
https://www.technology.org/2026/01/08/uk-enforces-tougher-rules-on-tech-firms-and-dating-apps-to-block-unsolicited-nudes/ - The UK government has enforced tougher regulations requiring technology companies and dating apps to proactively block unsolicited nude images, known as cyberflashing. The new rules, effective from January 8, 2026, classify cyberflashing as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act. Platforms must implement measures such as automated detection systems, moderation tools, or stricter content policies to prevent the sharing of unsolicited sexual images. Failure to comply could result in fines up to 10% of global revenue or potential service blocking in the UK.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is current, with the new law taking effect on January 8, 2026. The earliest known publication date of similar content is September 29, 2025, when the UK government announced plans to make cyberflashing a priority offence under the Online Safety Act. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tech-firms-to-prevent-unwanted-nudes-under-tougher-laws-to-protect-women-and-girls-online?utm_source=openai)) The report cites Reuters, indicating a reputable source. The narrative includes updated data, such as the one in three teenage girls statistic, which justifies a higher freshness score. However, the report may have recycled earlier material, as it references previous announcements and includes updated data. This suggests a mix of new and recycled content. The report was published on January 8, 2026, which is within the past 7 days. Therefore, the freshness score is 8.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The report includes direct quotes from Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and Elymae Cedeno, VP of Trust and Safety at Bumble. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the UK government's announcement on September 29, 2025. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tech-firms-to-prevent-unwanted-nudes-under-tougher-laws-to-protect-women-and-girls-online?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes appears consistent with earlier material, suggesting potential reuse. However, no online matches were found for the exact phrasing used in the report, indicating potential originality or exclusivity. Therefore, the quotes check score is 7.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from Benzinga, a financial news outlet. While Benzinga is generally considered reputable, it is not as widely recognised as major outlets like the Financial Times or Reuters. The report cites Reuters, a highly reputable organisation, which strengthens the reliability of the information. However, the reliance on a single source for the main narrative introduces some uncertainty. Therefore, the source reliability score is 6.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative aligns with recent developments, including the UK's move to make cyberflashing a priority offence under the Online Safety Act. The report includes specific details, such as the one in three teenage girls statistic, which adds credibility. The language and tone are consistent with official communications on the topic. There are no significant inconsistencies or red flags, suggesting the narrative is plausible. Therefore, the plausibility check score is 8.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative is timely and plausible, with some reliance on recycled content and a single source, which introduces moderate uncertainty. The quotes may have been reused, but their exact phrasing suggests potential originality. The source is reputable but not as widely recognised as major outlets. Therefore, the overall assessment is OPEN with medium confidence.

UK
Online Safety Act
Artificial Intelligence
Cyberflashing