In a major move to tackle online abuse, the UK government will order tech companies to remove intimate images shared without a victim’s consent within 48 hours or face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.
The new measure, introduced through an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, is part of a broader crackdown on violence against women and girls. It aims to end what many victims describe as a second wave of trauma, the exhausting battle of chasing platforms to remove deeply personal images shared without permission.
For diaspora communities across the UK, where online harassment can quickly spread across borders and social networks, the changes could offer critical protection. Families, young women, and community leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about the lasting emotional and reputational damage caused when private images circulate online.
Under the proposed law, once an image is flagged, companies must remove it within 48 hours. Platforms that fail to comply could face significant financial penalties or even have their services blocked in the UK.
The government also wants to ensure victims only have to report an image once. If implemented effectively, this would mean the content is removed across multiple platforms simultaneously and automatically blocked from being re-uploaded in the future. Ofcom is currently considering whether such material should be treated with the same severity as child sexual abuse and terrorism content, allowing for digital fingerprinting technology that prevents reposting.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the online world as “the frontline of the 21st century battle against violence against women and girls,” recalling his experience as Director of Public Prosecutions witnessing the long-term trauma caused by abuse. He said companies are now “on notice” and must act swiftly to remove harmful content.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stressed that victims should not have to move “platform after platform” trying to get images taken down. The new framework, she said, will shift responsibility onto the tech firms with the tools and resources to act quickly.
Minister for Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones said intimate image abuse devastates lives and that the reforms place the burden where it belongs — on companies that host and distribute the material.
The move forms part of a wider government pledge to treat violence against women and girls as a national emergency and halve these crimes over the next decade. Creating or sharing non-consensual intimate images will become a “priority offence” under the Online Safety Act, meaning it will be treated with the same seriousness as child abuse or terrorism-related content.
The government has also acted against emerging threats such as “nudification” tools and AI-powered chatbots that can generate explicit images without consent. Ministers recently intervened over the sharing of such content through AI systems, reinforcing their commitment to stronger digital safeguards.
While campaigners have welcomed the tougher stance, the real test will be enforcement. Many victims, including women from migrant and diaspora backgrounds, often face additional barriers to reporting abuse, including cultural stigma, immigration fears or lack of digital literacy support.
For communities across the UK with strong ties overseas, online abuse does not stop at national borders. Images can spread rapidly through global networks, compounding the damage. The proposed reforms aim to restore a sense of control to victims and send a clear message that technology companies must take responsibility.
At Chijos News, we understand how digital harm can ripple through families and communities, particularly within diaspora networks where reputation, safety and dignity are deeply valued. This legislation represents a significant step toward ensuring the internet is not a weapon against women and girls, but a space where they can live, work and connect without fear.
As the bill moves through Parliament, many will be watching closely to see whether this marks a turning point in the fight against online abuse — and whether it delivers the protection that women and girls across Britain, including within diaspora communities, urgently need.