UK Websites Face Blocking Under New 48-Hour Revenge Porn Removal Rule
Popular websites operating in the United Kingdom could be blocked under a stringent new 48-hour rule introduced by the Labour Party government. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will directly inform technology companies that they must remove "revenge porn" content within 48 hours or risk having their services blocked in the UK.
National Emergency of Online Misogyny
The Prime Minister has declared this measure necessary due to what he describes as a "national emergency" of online misogyny. Amendments will be incorporated into the crime and policing bill to regulate AI chatbots alongside other digital platforms.
In an exclusive article written for the Guardian newspaper on Thursday, February 19, Starmer stated: “The burden of tackling abuse must no longer fall on victims. It must fall on perpetrators and on the companies that enable harm.”
Institutional Misogyny and Corporate Accountability
Sir Keir emphasized that institutional misogyny being “woven into the fabric of our institutions” has resulted in the problem not being taken seriously enough. He elaborated: “Too often, misogyny is excused, minimised or ignored. The arguments of women are dismissed as exaggerated or ‘one-offs’. That culture creates permission.”
Social media companies and other digital platforms that fail to comply with the new regulations will face severe penalties. These include fines of up to 10 percent of their qualifying worldwide revenue or having their services completely blocked within the United Kingdom.
Victim Support and Cultural Transformation
The Prime Minister highlighted the plight of victims, stating: “Too often, those victims have been left to fight alone – chasing action site to site, reporting the same material again and again, only to see it reappear elsewhere hours later.”
He continued: “That is not justice. It is failure. And it is sending a message to the young people of this country that women and girls are a commodity to be used and shared.”
Starmer expressed his determination to transform governmental culture by challenging structures that marginalize women's voices. He asserted: “And it’s why I believe that simply counting how many women hold senior roles is not enough. What matters is whether their views carry weight and lead to change.”
The new policy represents a significant escalation in the government's approach to online safety, specifically targeting revenge porn and broader issues of digital misogyny. Technology firms will need to implement robust content moderation systems to avoid substantial financial penalties and potential exclusion from the UK market.
