Home / Sources / Select Committees / Women and Equalities Committee / Tackling non-consensual intimate image …
Index live
Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee

Tackling non-consensual intimate image abuse

Status: Closed Opened: 28 Mar 2024 Closed: 20 May 2025 23 recommendations 5 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry examines the impact of non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse on victims, and what steps internet platforms and the Government are taking to prevent and tackle NCII. It will also consider the extent to which the Online Safety Act, which received royal assent in October 2023, will be effective in tackling NCII.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual intimate image abuse HC 336 5 Mar 2025 28 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
9 Recommendation 4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in… Deferred

Direct user-to-user and search engine services to utilise a registry of non-consensual intimate image content.

In its illegal content Codes of Practice, Ofcom should direct user-to-user and search engine services to make use of a registry of NCII content, compiled by an expert body, on a similar basis to the provisions that exist for child sexual abuse material. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59) Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation on Ofcom's behalf, stating it cannot direct an independent regulator. However, it notes that Ofcom, under the Online Safety Act, will launch a new consultation on further measures for illegal content duties, including automated content moderation and hash-matching for intimate …
Read full response →
Government Equalities Office
16 Conclusion 4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in… Deferred

Non-consensual intimate image abuse extends beyond sexually explicit content.

Non-consensual intimate image abuse is not always limited to sexually explicit content. For example, in some cultures, countries, or religions, sharing a photograph of someone without their religious clothing—or with their arm around another person—can be disastrous for the victim. (Conclusion, Paragraph 85) Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the conclusion but largely deflects responsibility by stating that Ofcom, as the independent regulator, has powers under the Online Safety Act and will consult on further measures, including automated hash-matching tools.
Read full response →
Government Equalities Office
24 Conclusion 4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in… Deferred

Few platforms accept non-consensual intimate image hash matching technology.

Hash matching technology is a crucial tool in preventing non-consensual intimate image abuse. It is unacceptable that so few platforms receive NCII hashes, not least when they are already able to incorporate similar technologies for preventing the sharing of child sexual abuse material. It is obvious to us that accepting … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that Google can consider adopting hash-matching technology if it wishes, and they would support it. Ofcom, as the independent regulator, will consult on additional measures for online platforms' safety duties, including automated hash-matching tools for intimate image abuse.
Read full response →
Government Equalities Office

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
20 Nov 2024 Alex Davies-Jones · Ministry of Justice, Gisela Carr · Home Office, Jess Phillips MP · Home Office, Laura Weight · Ministry of Justice, Professor Clare McGlynn · University of Durham, Professor Lorna Woods · Essex Law School, University of Essex, Samantha Millar · National Police Chiefs' Council View ↗
6 Nov 2024 Courtney Gregoire · Microsoft, David Wright · SWGfL, Gail Kent · Google, Sophie Mortimer · Revenge Porn Helpline View ↗
8 May 2024 David Wright · The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC), Georgia Harrison, Keily Blair · Only Fans View ↗

Who gave evidence

14 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alex Davies-Jones · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Ministry of Justice 1
Courtney Gregoire · Vice President and Chief Digital Safety Officer Microsoft 1
David Wright · Chief Executive SWGfL 1
David Wright · Director The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) 1
Gail Kent · Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy … Google 1
Georgia Harrison — 1
Gisela Carr · Deputy Director, Interpersonal Abuse Unit Home Office 1
Jess Phillips MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister … Home Office 1
Keily Blair · Chief Executive Officer Only Fans 1
Laura Weight · Interim Director, Vulnerabilities & Criminal Law … Ministry of Justice 1
Professor Clare McGlynn · Professor of Law University of Durham 1
Professor Lorna Woods · Professor of Law Essex Law School, University of Essex 1
Samantha Millar · Assistant Police Chief Constable and VAWG Strateg… National Police Chiefs' Council 1
Sophie Mortimer · Manager Revenge Porn Helpline 1

Correspondence

34 letters
DateDirectionTitle
4 Feb 2026 — Correspondence from Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology r…
4 Feb 2026 — Correspondence from Minister for the Cabinet Office, HM Paymaster General re So…
28 Jan 2026 — Correspondence to Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology re …
21 Jan 2026 — Commencement of offences relating to the creation of Deepfake intimate images i…
14 Jan 2026 — Correspondence from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice re Crimi…
14 Jan 2026 — Correspondence with Chief Executive at Ofcom re Non-consensual intimate image a…
7 Jan 2026 — Correspondence to Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office re Non-…
17 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice…
4 Jun 2025 — Correspondence to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice r…
7 May 2025 — Correspondence from Vice President and Chief Digital Safety Officer, Microsoft,…
3 Apr 2025 — Correspondence to Vice President and Chief Digital Safety Officer, relating to …
26 Feb 2025 — Correspondence from Minister, Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls…
12 Feb 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Gir…
6 Feb 2025 — Correspondence with Chief Executive, Ofcom re tackling non-consensual intimate …
28 Jan 2025 — Correspondence from Minister of State of Justice, re, Tackling non-consensual i…
8 Jan 2025 — Correspondence from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice…
11 Dec 2024 — Correspondence with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
24 May 2024 — Correspondence to the Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Science, Innovatio…
24 May 2024 — Correspondence from SWGfL, relating to the session on non-consensual intimate i…
10 May 2024 — Correspondence to Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, relating to Non-consen…