The United Kingdom will introduce new offences criminalising the possession and publication of certain pornographic images depicting strangulation, incest and adults roleplaying as children from November 6, 2026.
The measures, contained in the UK’s Crime and Policing Act 2026, target explicit and realistic pornographic material that portrays strangulation or suffocation, sexual activity between people presented as relatives, and sexual activity involving people depicted as being under 16.
According to the UK government, the measures are aimed at addressing concerns that harmful pornography could influence sexual behaviour and normalise abuse, including child sexual abuse.
The government said the offences would also apply to realistic AI-generated images where they meet the legal criteria.
Under the new provisions, possessing or publishing the specified material will be a criminal offence, with penalties varying according to the type of content and offence.
The legislation forms part of broader government efforts to tackle violence against women and girls and strengthen protections against harmful online content.
The government is also reviewing the role of internet platforms in verifying the age and consent of people appearing in pornographic content.
The new offences are intended to strengthen the framework for addressing harmful pornography and require online platforms to take steps to prevent users from encountering content classified as illegal under the relevant provisions.
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