Social media platforms and dating apps may potentially be banned in the UK if they do not take action against cyber flashing, as part of a significant strengthening of regulations. Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, who recently assumed the role, will address this issue in her speech at the Labour conference. She plans to elevate measures to combat online sexual misconduct by classifying cyber flashing as a severe online offense under the Online Safety Act.
Under this announcement, platforms will be obligated to actively remove such content and prevent its dissemination. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of their global revenue and potential service blockage in the UK. Research by YouGov reveals that a considerable number of young individuals have experienced unsolicited explicit images, highlighting the urgency for stricter measures.
In her upcoming speech at the Labour conference, Liz Kendall is expected to emphasize the importance of protecting children online. She will emphasize the necessity of holding social media companies accountable for removing harmful content, as she did with content related to suicide and self-harm upon taking office.
Kendall also plans to make cyber flashing a priority offense, requiring platforms to detect and delete such material by law. This move aligns with the criminalization of cyber flashing in England and Wales starting January 2024, where perpetrators could face imprisonment for up to two years. A Statutory Instrument is anticipated to be introduced in the Autumn to enforce these new regulations on tech companies.
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