UK warns tech executives of jail risk over failure to remove non-consensual images

The UK government has warned that senior executives at technology companies could face criminal liability, including imprisonment, if their platforms fail to remove non-consensual intimate images when required.

The proposal forms part of an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, which is expected to be debated in parliament. It would allow regulators to take action not only against companies, but also against individual executives who do not comply with enforcement decisions issued by the communications regulator Ofcom.

The move builds on earlier measures announced in February, requiring platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of being notified. Companies that fail to comply risk fines of up to 10% of global revenue or, in some cases, service restrictions.

The government has framed the proposal as a response to increasing cases of image-based abuse. It also forms part of a broader policy discussion on online safety, including potential restrictions on social media access for users under the age of 16.

Non-consensual sharing of intimate images is already a criminal offence in the UK. However, policymakers and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the difficulty of ensuring timely and permanent removal of such content from digital platforms.

UK online safety minister Kanishka Narayan said the measures are intended to strengthen accountability among platform operators and improve protections, particularly for women and girls. The proposal reflects a wider international trend toward stricter obligations on technology companies to address harmful content online.