Social media platforms and dating apps may face potential blocking in the UK if they do not take strong action against cyber flashing as part of a significant tightening of regulations. Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, who assumed the role earlier this month, is set to enhance measures to combat online sexual misconduct during her upcoming speech at the Labour conference.
Kendall will declare that cyber flashing, defined as sending unsolicited photos or videos of genitals to intimidate or embarrass recipients, will be categorized as a severe online offense under the Online Safety Act. This move will require platforms to actively remove such content and implement measures to prevent its dissemination.
Failure to comply could lead to fines of up to 10% of a company’s global revenue and potential service restrictions in the UK. Recent polling by YouGov revealed that approximately 32% of girls aged 12-18 have received unwanted genital images, with 5% of boys in the same age group also experiencing similar incidents.
In her address at the Labour conference in Liverpool, Kendall is expected to emphasize the importance of safeguarding children online, stating, “Ensuring online safety for children is non-negotiable. That’s why my initial action as Secretary of State was to mandate social media companies to identify and remove content promoting self-harm and suicide.”
Additionally, Kendall announced plans to prioritize cyber flashing as a key offense, requiring platforms to detect and delete such material as mandated by law. Cyber flashing was criminalized in England and Wales in January 2024, with offenders facing potential imprisonment of up to two years.
An anticipated Statutory Instrument, a type of secondary legislation, is slated for introduction in the Autumn to implement the latest regulatory adjustments aimed at tech companies.