Overview
- The change took effect on Jan. 8 under the Online Safety Act and compels platforms to proactively detect and prevent unsolicited sexual images.
- Companies must assess cyberflashing risks and build safety-by-design features rather than relying on after-the-fact takedowns.
- Ofcom will consult on codes of practice that are expected to include automated nudity detection, stronger moderation tools and stricter policies.
- The requirements apply to major services operating in the UK, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X, dating apps and sites hosting adult content.
- The policy shift comes as AI sexual deepfakes draw regulatory scrutiny, with French and EU probes into X’s Grok and UK officials pressing X to act.