UK looks to hold tech execs personally liable for intimate image abuse

LONDON — The U.K. government on Friday announced plans to hold tech company executives criminally liable if they fail to remove non-consensual intimate images from their platforms.

A new government amendment, which is yet to be published but will be tabled to the Crime and Policing Bill and debated in the Commons next week, would mean senior executives who ignore media regulator Ofcom's enforcement decisions under the Online Safety Act face imprisonment and fines.

Tech Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Too many women have had their lives shattered by having their intimate images shared online without consent. 

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

“In February we told platforms that they must remove reported non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours. Now we are going further by introducing measures meaning that senior tech executives could be criminally liable if their companies fail to act when required to do so by Ofcom.

“Protecting women and girls online is not optional, it is a responsibility that sits squarely with every tech company’s leadership.”

Also on Friday the government said it would criminalize pornography depicting incest or adults roleplaying as children, after Tory peer Gabby Bertin tabled several amendments on the issue in the Lords.