UK-wide · 2023
Online Safety Act 2023
Protects: Victims of online abuse, image-based sexual abuse, cyberflashing, threats and harassment.
Information only. This is not legal advice. Court procedures and the law change. Always confirm with a solicitor, Citizens Advice, or a domestic abuse advocate before acting.
Summary
Created new communications offences and reformed intimate-image abuse law. Sharing or threatening to share an intimate image without consent is a criminal offence regardless of motive; cyberflashing is criminalised; false/threatening communications offences replace parts of the Malicious Communications Act 1988.
Key provisions
s.66A — Cyberflashing
Sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation — up to 2 years.
s.66B — Intimate-image abuse
Replaces s.33 CJ&C Act 2015. Sharing/threatening to share intimate images without consent — up to 6 months base, 2 years with intent to cause distress, 3 years for threats.
ss.179-181 — Communications offences
Threatening communications, false communications, and flashing offences.
What this Act affects
The specific protective court orders and decision points this Act creates or feeds — with the exact statutory section.
Cyberflashing offence
s.66A (inserts s.66A SOA 2003)Decision point: criminal charge — up to 2 years. Supports restraining order on conviction.
Intimate-image abuse offences
s.66B (inserts ss.66B–66D SOA 2003)Decision point: sharing or threatening to share intimate images — up to 3 years for threats. Supports NMO, restraining order and DAPO.
Threatening / false communications
ss.179–181Decision point: replaces Malicious Communications Act parts; supports bail conditions, NMO and restraining order.