Low Adoption of Anti-Revenge Porn Tools Among Online Platforms
Only 30 platforms joined the Ofcom-backed StopNCII register despite widespread industry risks.
1Limited Platform Participation
Only 30 online platforms have joined the StopNCII register, a tool designed to track and remove non-consensual intimate images. This figure represents less than 1% of the 10,000 platforms that Ofcom estimates should be participating. Major companies like Reddit, TikTok, and OnlyFans have joined, but the vast majority remain absent from the initiative.
2Hash-Matching Technology Explained
The StopNCII website, managed by the charity SWGfL, utilizes hash-matching technology to identify and block the spread of intimate images across different websites. This mechanism allows platforms to proactively detect content rather than relying solely on user reports. It shifts the burden from reactive moderation to a more automated, preventative digital safety model.
3Ofcom Enforcement Efforts
Ofcom has actively encouraged companies to adopt the StopNCII register since launching an enforcement program in September. Despite these recommendations, Sophie Mortimer of SWGfL noted that participation remains extremely low. The regulator is currently investigating two unnamed adult sites, one for image-hosting and another for content-sharing, regarding their handling of intimate images.
4Flawed Risk Assessments
Many platforms argue that the new safety measures do not apply to them because they do not consider themselves high-risk services. SWGfL has expressed concern that these companies are essentially marking their own homework. This self-assessment process allows firms to avoid implementing necessary safety tools by downplaying their actual exposure to harmful content.
5Potential Statutory Backing
The Home Office is currently considering providing statutory backing to the StopNCII website. This legislative move would grant the government greater power to enforce participation among digital platforms. By formalizing the requirement, authorities aim to ensure that companies can no longer ignore the urgent need to address the proliferation of non-consensual content.
6Regulatory Stance on Compliance
Ofcom maintains that while they recommend specific tools like StopNCII, companies are not strictly required to use one particular product. Instead, platforms must demonstrate they are meeting legal duties to prevent and minimize the spread of harmful content. The regulator views tackling this abuse as a top priority for protecting women and girls.
7Broader Campaign Context
The issue is part of a wider national conversation regarding violence against women. On November 25, 2024, a campaign titled This Is Not Right was launched to highlight the scale of this emergency. This initiative seeks to address the relentless epidemic of violence, emphasizing the need for systemic changes across all digital services.
8Future Industry Outlook
The gap between the 10,000 platforms identified by Ofcom and the 30 current participants highlights a significant failure in voluntary compliance. Future success depends on whether the government mandates these tools or if platforms voluntarily improve their risk assessments. Without widespread adoption, the spread of non-consensual intimate images will likely continue unabated.
Original article: Metro UK — Low Adoption of Anti-Revenge Porn Tools Among Online Platforms