Remove Intimate Images & Deepfakes in the UK (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from UK Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Since 31 January 2024, sharing intimate images without consent has been a criminal offence in England and Wales under Sexual Offences Act 2003 s. 66B, inserted by the Online Safety Act 2023 s. 188. There are four distinct offences: base sharing (66B(1), 6 months); intent to cause distress (66B(2), up to 2 years); sexual gratification (66B(3), up to 2 years); threats to share (66B(4), up to 2 years).
Intimate-image abuse — including AI deepfake nudes — is also now a priority offence under the Online Safety Act 2023, requiring platforms (large social media, search, messaging) to take proactive steps to prevent it. The Online Safety Act is enforced by Ofcom.
Specialist UK services run alongside the legal path: the Revenge Porn Helpline (SWGfL, 0345 6000 459, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm, for UK adults 18+; over-90% takedown rate; 412,000+ images removed since 2015) and StopNCII.org (operated by SWGfL; free hash-based proactive matching across participating platforms; over 90% removal rate). For under-18 victims, NCMEC's Take It Down service (takeitdown.ncmec.org) is the dedicated channel and works globally.
When does it apply?
- Intimate images, video, or AI deepfake of you have been shared online without your consent.
- Someone has threatened to share intimate images of you — that itself is an offence under SOA 2003 s. 66B(4).
- Imagery was taken without you knowing (upskirting, voyeurism) — covered by SOA 2003 ss. 67–67A.
- You are being extorted using intimate images (sextortion) — same offence framework plus blackmail under Theft Act 1968 s. 21.
- The image was created or shared while you were under 18 — additional indecent-images-of-children offences apply (Protection of Children Act 1978).
Removing Non-Consensual Intimate Images, Deepfakes, and Sextortion Content in the UK
Three lanes in parallel. Specialist services for speed (hash-based, free), platform reports for content removal, police for the criminal case.
- Call the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0345 6000 459 (Mon–Fri 10am–4pm). SWGfL has handled UK NCII cases since 2015 with an over-90% takedown rate. They can help with platform-direct removal requests, advise on the criminal route, and refer to legal support. Out-of-hours support is available via Report Harmful Content.
- Submit to StopNCII.org if you are 18+ now AND were 18+ when the image was taken. The service generates a hash on your device — the image never leaves your phone — and matches it against participating platforms. Takedown is automatic and ongoing.
- For under-18 imagery, use takeitdown.ncmec.org. NCMEC's service is global; SWGfL also coordinates with NCMEC on UK under-18 cases.
- Report to the police. Sexual Offences Act 2003 s. 66B offences are reported to the local police force or via 101 (non-emergency) / 999 (in danger). The CPS publishes prosecutor guidance on NCII offences — your case officer should reference it.
- If a platform refuses to remove content after a proper notice, complain to Ofcom. Intimate image abuse is a priority offence under the OSA 2023; large platforms have a statutory duty to remove and prevent. Ofcom can issue enforcement notices and fines up to 10% of global turnover.
- Preserve evidence before the takedown completes. Screenshots with URL bar, archive snapshots (web.archive.org), platform post IDs, dates, account handles. You'll need them for both the criminal case and any civil action.
- Consider civil action. Tort claims include misuse of private information, breach of confidence, harassment (Protection from Harassment Act 1997), and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Damages and injunctions are both available.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't engage with the perpetrator or extortionist. Threats themselves are an offence under SOA 2003 s. 66B(4); preserve the threats as evidence.
- Don't delete the imagery before generating the hash with StopNCII / NCMEC. The service computes the hash locally and never uploads the image — but it needs the source on your device.
- Don't pay anyone offering 'removal services' for an upfront fee. SWGfL, StopNCII, NCMEC, and the police are all free.
- Don't post the imagery publicly to call out the perpetrator. Re-uploading even to expose the abuser can be a separate s. 66B offence and creates more copies to remove.
About Data Privacy & Digital Rights in United Kingdom
UK residents have the strongest data-privacy and online-safety statutory framework in the English-speaking world. The UK GDPR + Data Protection Act 2018 give every person rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection — exercisable against any controller processing their personal data. The standard controller response time is one month under Article 12(3) UK GDPR. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) enforces, free of charge.
For intimate-image abuse, the Online Safety Act 2023 s. 188 inserted four offences into the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as s. 66B — these came into force on 31 January 2024. Sharing intimate images without consent (66B(1)) is a summary-only offence (6 months); with intent to cause distress, for sexual gratification, or as a threat (66B(2)–(4)) carries up to 2 years. Intimate-image abuse is now a priority offence under the Online Safety Act 2023, requiring platforms to proactively prevent it.
For specialist NCII support: the Revenge Porn Helpline (SWGfL, 0345 6000 459, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm) and StopNCII.org (free hash-based proactive removal across participating platforms, 18+).
Common Questions
When did Section 66B come into force?
31 January 2024. Section 188 of the Online Safety Act 2023 inserted ss. 66B–66D into the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The four offences cover: sharing without consent (6 months); sharing with intent to cause distress, alarm or humiliation (up to 2 years); sharing for sexual gratification (up to 2 years); and threats to share (up to 2 years).
What does the Online Safety Act do that SOA 2003 s. 66B doesn't?
SOA 2003 s. 66B is the criminal offence — it punishes the person who shared the imagery. The Online Safety Act 2023 imposes duties on platforms (large social media, search, messaging) to proactively prevent intimate-image abuse, regardless of whether a specific user is prosecuted. Ofcom enforces the OSA with civil penalties up to 10% of global turnover.
Does the law cover AI deepfakes?
Yes. SOA 2003 s. 66B's definition of intimate images covers digitally-altered, AI-generated, and synthetic imagery. The Government has indicated additional offences are being added for the creation of deepfake intimate images.
What if the perpetrator is overseas?
UK courts can prosecute under SOA 2003 s. 66B if the victim is in the UK or substantial elements of the offence took place in the UK. The Online Safety Act applies to any platform accessible from the UK. Practical recovery still depends on platform cooperation — the StopNCII hash-based service works globally and is the highest-leverage route.
What is the removing non-consensual intimate images and deepfakes in the uk right in United Kingdom?
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Since 31 January 2024, sharing intimate images without consent has been a criminal offence in England and Wales under Sexual Offences Act 2003 s. 66B, inserted by the Online Safety Act 2023 s. 188. There are four distinct offences: base sharing (66B(1), 6 months); intent to cause distress (66B(2), up to 2 years); sexual gratification (66B(3), up to 2 years); threats to share (66B(4), up to 2 years).Intimate-image abuse — including AI deepfake nudes — is also now a priority offence under the Online Safety Act 2023, requiring platforms (large social medi...
When does removing non-consensual intimate images and deepfakes in the uk apply?
Intimate images, video, or AI deepfake of you have been shared online without your consent.Someone has threatened to share intimate images of you — that itself is an offence under SOA 2003 s. 66B(4).Imagery was taken without you knowing (upskirting, voyeurism) — covered by SOA 2003 ss. 67–67A.You are being extorted using intimate images (sextortion) — same offence framework plus blackmail under Theft Act 1968 s. 21.The image was created or shared while you were under 18 — additional indecent-images-of-children offences apply (Protection of Children Act 1978).
How do I get non-consensual intimate images or deepfakes removed in the UK?
Three lanes in parallel. Specialist services for speed (hash-based, free), platform reports for content removal, police for the criminal case.Call the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0345 6000 459 (Mon–Fri 10am–4pm). SWGfL has handled UK NCII cases since 2015 with an over-90% takedown rate. They can help with platform-direct removal requests, advise on the criminal route, and refer to legal support. Out-of-hours support is available via Report Harmful Content.Submit to StopNCII.org if you are 18+ now AND were 18+ when the image was taken. The service generates a hash on your device — the image never...
What mistakes should I avoid with removing non-consensual intimate images and deepfakes in the uk?
Don't engage with the perpetrator or extortionist. Threats themselves are an offence under SOA 2003 s. 66B(4); preserve the threats as evidence.Don't delete the imagery before generating the hash with StopNCII / NCMEC. The service computes the hash locally and never uploads the image — but it needs the source on your device.Don't pay anyone offering 'removal services' for an upfront fee. SWGfL, StopNCII, NCMEC, and the police are all free.Don't post the imagery publicly to call out the perpetrator. Re-uploading even to expose the abuser can be a separate s. 66B offence and creates more copies...