Additionally, we will work closely with regulators to enforce stricter compliance – to make sure that social media companies proactively prevent and remove illegal content. Where they fail to uphold their responsibilities, they face substantial fines of up to 10%of their global turnover and, in certain circumstances, criminal charges. These are extremely significant sanctions for businesses, so I am confident they will work in making these companies prioritise safety.
Our verdict: The Online Safety Act is a starting point, but we’re not sure it’s a strong foundation. As Elena Micheal, campaign partner and Director of Not Your Porn tells GLAMOUR, “The key asks of our campaign identify crucial gaps not covered by current legislation – if the current legislation was tackling image-based abuse so well, supporting survivors and preventing avoidable harm, we wouldn’t be asking for them.”
Professor Clare McGlynn adds, “The Online Safety Act does not unfortunately ‘force’ social media companies to remove non-consensual imagery. The platforms have to try to reduce harms and unlawful content but whether they do so relies on a strong regulator like Ofcom making this a priority and ensuring they act.
“Also, there are many websites that refuse to remove harmful material, even after a criminal conviction. This is why we support the Revenge Porn Helpline’s call for a clear law enabling those websites to be blocked.”
GLAMOUR: How do you plan to improve civil laws so that survivors can take action against perpetrators and tech companies?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: That’s a good question. I recognise the importance of supporting and empowering survivors. Our Online Safety Act already forces social media companies to remove illegal material and protect users, and as I say, they face severe consequences if they do not abide by the law.
As Conservatives, we will always stand with survivors and make sure we have the necessary tools in place to deliver justice for them, holding accountable those who perpetrate these crimes and social media companies that fail to live up to their responsibilities. And with regards to civil action against perpetrators, someone posting intimate images of another person without their consent would commit a civil wrong of breach of privacy and could therefore be sued. As a final thought, I think a key part of tackling this issue is raising awareness that these sort of actions are crimes and will be punished – so if someone shares intimate images of you without consent, you are not alone and please report it.
Our verdict: While the Prime Minister is right that it is possible to sue a perpetrator at the moment for a breach of privacy, this is a complicated and expensive process that isn’t accessible to most victims and survivors.
As campaign partner Professor Clare McGlynn explains, “We want a new, swift online court process – as in other countries like Canada – that means not just suing for compensation, but makes orders to delete and remove images and videos.
“The Prime Minister is very hopeful that the Online Safety Act will solve some of these issues. Unfortunately, this rhetoric does not match the reality of what’s actually in the legislation and how the regulator Ofcom is acting.
“If we truly are to ban non-consensual intimate images, we need a strong Online Safety Commission to be proactive, to challenge social media companies and to act on behalf of survivors to demand and order change.”
The PM says that the Conservatives will always stand with survivors. In response, campaign partner Elena Micheal notes, “If you stand with survivors, then it means listening to their experiences.
“Our campaign has been designed from the loopholes and gaps survivors have to navigate. Therefore, if you truly stand with survivors, you should be committing to our asks.”
Revenge Porn Helpline provides advice, guidance and support to victims of intimate image-based abuse over the age of 18 who live in the UK. You can call them on 0345 6000 459.
The Cyber Helpline provides free, expert help and advice to people targeted by online crime and harm in the UK and USA.
For more from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.