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Pornography depicting strangulation to become criminal offence in the UK
The UK government will make strangulation pornography a priority offence under the Online Safety Act, requiring tech firms to prevent its spread and protect users.
- On Monday the UK government confirmed amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise possession and publication of strangulation images, with the Bill returning to the House of Lords next week.
- Baroness Gabby Bertin's independent review, published in February, cited teachers' anecdotes including a 14-year-old asking how to choke girls during sex and warned of a "total absence of government scrutiny" earlier this year.
- The government says platforms will be required to use moderation tools, stricter policies or automated systems to stop strangulation images, with Ofcom enforcing the Online Safety Act as a priority offence, DSIT said.
- The department said prosecutors can pursue cases up to three years after offences and within six months of having evidence, while another amendment extends time limits for victims of intimate image abuse.
- The BBFC welcomed the proposed changes but emphasized the need for broader reform, with David Austin stating harmful depictions remain accessible to UK users, while Bernie Ryan warned of risks to children and young people.
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12 Articles
Platforms will now have a legal obligation to block such content - Fines for non-compliance could reach £18 million
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left4Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution37% Left, 36% Right
Bias Distribution
- 37% of the sources lean Left, 36% of the sources lean Right
37% Left
L 37%
C 27%
R 36%
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