Tech companies are under pressure to eliminate misogyny on the internet by intensifying efforts to combat trolling and toxic abuse targeting women and girls.
Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, has endorsed the new guidelines from the media regulator and cautioned social media platforms that they play a role in fostering “sexism” if they do not take action.
Ofcom’s fresh recommendations advise online platforms to implement “prompts” that prompt users to reconsider before posting misogynistic or sexually violent content. The guidance also suggests implementing “timeouts” for users who repeatedly misuse the platform to target victims.
Furthermore, Ofcom encourages social media companies to demonetize posts or videos that promote misogynistic abuse and diversify content in recommended feeds to prevent the creation of “toxic echo chambers.” Platforms should also consider setting limits on post volume to deter mass posting of abusive content.
One of the suggestions is for companies to utilize automated technology like “hash-matching” to identify and remove non-consensual intimate images. However, the guidance is not binding, with Internet Matters, an online safety organization, urging the Government to mandate its enforcement.
Ms. Kendall emphasized that tech companies possess the tools to block and delete online misogyny, warning that failure to act makes them complicit in normalizing abuse against women and girls. She praised Ofcom’s efforts and called on platforms to take responsibility and use all available means to safeguard women and girls online.
Rachel Huggins, co-chief executive at Internet Matters, noted that Ofcom’s guidelines propose robust measures to enhance online safety, but stressed the need for government intervention to ensure compliance and protection of women and girls.
Ofcom highlighted the prevalence of significant and widespread abuse targeting women in sports, politics, and other public domains online. The regulator aims to assess individual companies’ progress by summer 2027 and may propose amendments to the Online Safety Act if necessary.
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, emphasized the urgency for tech firms to act in line with the industry guidance to protect female users from the substantial online risks they face.