UK to ban three types of extreme pornography from next month

Three types of extreme pornography are set to be outlawed across the UK from next month, as part of a wide-ranging expansion of the country’s obscene publications legislation. The ban, which comes into force on 1 November 2026, will cover material depicting strangulation or suffocation, incestuous sexual acts, and any content where a person appears to be under 16 years old. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the measures earlier this week, describing the prohibited material as “a category of abuse which has no place in a modern society and has real-world harm on victims.” Why it matters: The move expands the existing Extreme Pornography Act 2009, closing gaps that law enforcement and campaign groups have warned have allowed disturbing content to flourish online. The government says the new provisions will give police and online safety regulators clearer powers to identify and remove illegal material more quickly. What happens next: The internet watch foundation and other digital safety charities will need to adapt their reporting systems. Online platforms will be required to update their content moderation policies, while law enforcement agencies are preparing guidance for officers handling cases. The Crown Prosecution Service says existing legal frameworks will be applied retroactively to any material uploaded before the ban came into effect. The legislation follows a consultation which received over 3,500 responses, with most public sector respondents supporting expansion while civil liberties groups raised concerns about enforcement and proportionality. The Home Office says the regulations include safeguards against over-enforcement, including specific definitions that require clear intent and distribution rather than artistic or educational material. Sources: BBC News, Sky News UK