Senior technology executives could face personal criminal liability, including potential imprisonment or substantial fines, if their platforms fail to remove revenge porn content when it is reported. This significant development comes as part of new government proposals aimed at holding tech bosses directly accountable for their companies' compliance with Ofcom enforcement decisions regarding non-consensual intimate imagery.
Crime and Policing Bill Amendment
An amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, which introduces these stringent measures, is scheduled for debate in the House of Commons next week. The proposed legislation would establish that senior tech executives could be criminally liable if their companies fail to act when required by Ofcom, provided there is no reasonable excuse for their inaction.
Government's Stance on Online Protection
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the government's uncompromising approach to protecting women and girls online. "Too many women have had their lives shattered by having their intimate images shared online without consent," Ms. Kendall stated. "This Government is uncompromising in our mission to protect women and girls online, and we have taken action to stop tech firms from publishing this abusive content."
She further explained the rationale behind the new measures: "Now we are going further by introducing measures meaning that senior tech executives could be criminally liable if their companies fail to act when required to do so by Ofcom. Protecting women and girls online is not optional, it is a responsibility that sits squarely with every tech company's leadership."
Existing and Expanded Regulations
This development builds upon existing regulations implemented in February, which required platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of being reported. The new proposals represent a significant escalation in enforcement mechanisms, shifting responsibility directly to corporate leadership.
Broader Crackdown on Harmful Content
Concurrently, ministers are moving to ban online pornography depicting illegal sexual conduct between family members and adults roleplaying as children. The government announced that possession and publication of porn showing incest between family members, as well as sexual content involving step or foster relations where one person is pretending to be under 18, will be criminalized.
The Ministry of Justice warned that "revolting online content" risks normalizing child sexual abuse. Publishing the banned material will carry maximum penalties ranging from two to five years' imprisonment, depending on the specific type of content involved.
Previous Regulatory Actions
This initiative follows previous government action that criminalized pornography depicting women being choked, after a review found such images were widespread on websites and had helped establish choking as a sexual norm. The government's comprehensive approach addresses multiple forms of harmful online content through legislative and regulatory measures.
Victims' Perspectives and Campaigner Support
Minister for victims and tackling violence against girls Alex Davies-Jones highlighted the urgent need for change: "I've sadly heard far too many devastating stories from victims and I know we need change now. Tackling violence against women and girls within a decade will take every single one of us."
She acknowledged campaigners' contributions: "We have been clear that vile online pornography has real-life consequences for all of us and I'd like to thank every brave campaigner who has worked with us to deliver this vital step. Today we are sending a powerful message: we will stamp out misogynistic and harmful content online and create a safer world."
The proposed measures represent a significant shift in how technology companies are held accountable for content on their platforms, with personal liability for executives marking a new frontier in online safety regulation. The debate next week will determine whether these provisions become law, potentially reshaping the landscape of digital content moderation and executive responsibility in the technology sector.
