The United Kingdom is preparing to implement a strict 48-hour rule requiring online platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images once they are reported. The measure is designed to offer faster protection to victims of so-called “revenge porn” and other forms of image-based sexual abuse, which have surged alongside the growth of social media and private messaging platforms.

Officials argue that the current system often leaves victims waiting days or even weeks for harmful content to be taken down, prolonging emotional distress and reputational damage. The new rule aims to create a legally enforceable timeline that ensures prompt action from digital service providers.

Tech Platforms Face Legal Accountability

Under the proposed framework, social media companies and other hosting services operating in the UK will be required to act within 48 hours of receiving a valid report. Failure to comply could result in substantial fines and regulatory action.

The enforcement responsibility is expected to fall under the UK’s online safety regulatory structure, which gives authorities expanded oversight powers over tech companies. Regulators may demand transparency reports and impose financial penalties on platforms that repeatedly fail to remove abusive material within the mandated timeframe.

Government representatives have emphasized that the policy is not only about removing content but also about encouraging proactive monitoring systems to prevent such material from circulating widely in the first place.

Addressing the Rise of Deepfake Abuse

The policy update also reflects growing concern over AI-generated deepfake images, where individuals’ faces are digitally superimposed onto explicit content without consent. Advocacy groups have raised alarms over how rapidly such material spreads online and how difficult it can be to remove once viral.

By enforcing a defined takedown window, authorities hope to limit the reach of manipulated content and reduce the long-term harm to victims. Campaigners have welcomed the development, describing it as a necessary step in adapting existing laws to modern technological threats.

Balancing Safety and Free Expression

While the initiative has received broad support from victim advocacy organizations, some digital rights groups have cautioned that strict deadlines must be implemented carefully to avoid overreach. They argue that platforms will need clear guidelines on what qualifies as nonconsensual intimate imagery to prevent misuse or wrongful removal of legitimate content.

Officials have responded by stating that the framework will include safeguards to ensure due process while prioritizing victim protection.

A Broader Push for Online Safety Reform

The 48-hour takedown requirement forms part of the UK’s broader strategy to strengthen online safety standards. In recent years, lawmakers have introduced tighter regulations targeting harmful online behavior, including cyberbullying, fraud, and digital exploitation.

By setting a clear compliance deadline, the government aims to signal that platforms must take swift responsibility for harmful content hosted on their services. If enacted, the measure could position the UK among the countries with the strictest timelines for addressing image-based abuse online.