# Online Safety Act 2023, section 188 - Sharing or threatening to share intimate photograph or film (Sexual Offences Act 2003 s.66B)

- **Jurisdiction:** United Kingdom (GB)
- **Type:** Law · **Status:** In force · **Binding:** yes
- **Issued by:** UK Parliament
- **Proposed:** — · **Adopted:** 26 Oct 2023 · **Effective:** 31 Jan 2024
- **Obligations:** Prohibited uses, Penalties
- **Sectors:** Media, Consumer
- **Penalties:** Base offence: summary imprisonment and/or fine; aggravated offences (intent to cause distress, sexual gratification, threats): up to 2 years on indictment.

## Summary
Makes it an offence to share, or threaten to share, a photograph or film that 'shows, or appears to show' another person in an intimate state without consent, which captures AI-generated deepfakes. Platforms in scope of the Online Safety Act must treat such content as illegal content under Ofcom's codes.

## Why it matters
User-to-user and search services must assess and mitigate the risk of AI-generated intimate image abuse as illegal content.

## Source
[legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/66B)
Checked against the source on 4 Oct 2026.

## Cite
Online Safety Act 2023, section 188 - Sharing or threatening to share intimate photograph or film (Sexual Offences Act 2003 s.66B). UK Parliament. Status: In force. wheresthe.ai, https://wheresthe.ai/rule/gb-online-safety-act-2023-intimate-image-offences/ (verified 4 Oct 2026).

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Canonical page: https://wheresthe.ai/rule/gb-online-safety-act-2023-intimate-image-offences/ · Not legal advice.