‘Cyberflashing’ Now Officially A Criminal Offense In The UK

The UK Government has recently declared “cyberflashing” a criminal offense under its updated Online Safety Bill, with perpetrators facing up to two years behind bars.

According to Mashable, cyberflashing is an internet-related term that refers to the non-consensual act of sending explicit images via text messages or file transfers, such as AirDrop.

Research by Professor Jessica Ringrose in 2020 showed that a staggering 76% of girls aged 12 to 18 had been sent unsolicited nude images from the opposite gender.

Furthermore, findings from a YouGov survey posit that four in 10 young women between the ages of 18 to 34 have received unwanted sexual images.

With the new regulations in place, local police and the Crown Prosecution Service will be able to bring more offenders to task, sending a clear message that such actions are no longer tolerated.

“Tech has the power to bring people together and make our lives better, but it can also enable heinous behavior from those who wish to abuse, harm, and harass,” said Digital Secretary, Nadine Dorries. 

“The forthcoming Online Safety Bill will force tech companies to stop their platforms being used to commit vile acts of cyberflashing. We are bringing the full weight on individuals who perpetrate this awful behavior,” she added.

[via Mashable and the UK Government, cover image via Stefan Dahl | Dreamstime.com]