Revenge porn: Tech bosses could face jail for failing to remove non-consensual intimate images from websites

Tech executives could face personal liability, including jail time or fines, if their platforms fail to remove revenge porn as soon as it is reported.

New government proposals would hold bosses accountable if their companies fail to comply with Ofcom’s enforcement decisions on such content, provided there is no reasonable excuse.

An amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill introducing these measures will be debated in the House of Commons next week.

Technology Minister Liz Kendall said: “Too many women’s lives have been devastated by their intimate images being shared online without their consent.

“This Government is uncompromising on our mission to protect women and girls online and we have taken action to stop tech firms from publishing this abusive content.”

In February, the Government told platforms that non-consensual intimate images must be removed within 48 hours of being reported.

“We are now going further by introducing measures that mean senior tech executives could be criminally liable if their companies fail to take action when deemed necessary by Ofcom,” Ms Kendall said.

“Protecting women and girls online is not optional; it is a responsibility that sits squarely within the leadership of every tech company.”

It comes as ministers also moved to ban online pornography depicting illicit sexual behavior in which family members and adults took part as children.

The government has said it will criminalize the possession and publication of porn depicting incest between family members and sexual intercourse between a step or foster family where a person pretends to be under 18.

The Ministry of Justice said “disgusting online content” risked normalizing child sexual abuse.

Publishing prohibited material will attract a maximum prison sentence of two to five years, depending on the type of content.

The government criminalized porn depicting women strangling after an investigation found such images were rife on websites, helping to establish it as a sexual norm.

Alex Davies-Jones, Minister responsible for victims and tackling violence against girls, said: “Sadly I have heard too many devastating stories from victims and I know we need change now.

“Tackling violence against women and girls within a decade will require the efforts of each of us.

“We have made it clear that disgusting online pornography has real-life consequences for all of us, and I want to thank every brave campaigner who has worked with us to take this vital step.

“Today we are sending a strong message: We will eliminate misogynistic and harmful content online and create a safer world.”