The UK government proposes new rules requiring tech firms to remove non-consensual sexual images within 48 hours, with hefty fines for non-compliance.
LONDON: Technology firms will be forced to remove non-consensual sexual images within 48 hours under new UK rules proposed by the government.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called tackling the problem “a national emergency” requiring an immediate response.
Victims would need to report an abusive image only once for companies to remove it from multiple platforms under the measures, which could take effect this summer.
Failure to comply would result in fines of up to 10% of a firm’s global revenue or having their services blocked in the UK.
The proposals follow international criticism of Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot for enabling users to create sexualised deepfakes.
“The online world is the frontline of the 21st century battle against violence against women and girls,” Starmer said.
“That’s why my government is taking urgent action: against chatbots and ‘nudification’ tools.”
The rules will be introduced via an amendment to a criminal bill giving police greater enforcement powers.
The government recently extended online safety laws to include AI chatbots, making providers responsible for preventing harmful AI-generated content.
Media regulator Ofcom is considering treating illegal sexualised images with the same severity as child sexual abuse material.
It will announce its final decision on these proposals in May.
The Labour government is also consulting on a social media ban for under-16s as part of wider online child protection efforts.
In January 2025, Starmer pledged to cut red tape to attract AI investment and establish Britain as an “AI superpower”.
