Ofcom warns online platforms to stop illegal intimate image sharing
Published: 09/09/2026
| Ofcom
Ofcom has warned technology companies that they face imminent deadlines to implement robust measures preventing the dissemination of non-consensual intimate images (NCII) and AI deepfakes.
Launching a new enforcement programme to monitor industry compliance, the regulator stipulated that online platforms must deploy automated hash-matching technology by 30 September to intercept illegal material. Services without hash matching must demonstrate that alternative mechanisms restrict the spread of NCII with equal effectiveness or face further regulatory action.
To support the initiative, Ofcom has partnered with the South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL), the organisation that operates the StopNCII.org database, and the Revenge Porn Helpline to exchange technical expertise and evidence. Ofcom advises platforms to adopt the StopNCII hash-matching system.
Training Announcement: Find out more about our range of independent accredited qualifications from BCS and IAPP. These include professional certifications for practitioners covering data protection and AI governance, information security and risk management, along with access to public information.
What is this page?
You are reading a summary article on the Privacy Newsfeed, a free resource for DPOs and other professionals with privacy or data protection responsibilities helping them stay informed of industry news all in one place. The information here is a brief snippet relating to a single piece of original content or several articles about a common topic or thread. The main contributor is listed in the top left-hand corner, just beneath the article title.
The Privacy Newsfeed monitors over 300 global publications, of which more than 3,250 summary articles have been posted to the online archive dating back to the beginning of 2020. A weekly roundup is available by email every Friday.