UK to ban three categories of explicit content on November 6

From November 6, it will be illegal in England and Wales to possess or publish explicit content depicting strangulation or suffocation, sexual activity between certain relatives, or adults roleplaying as children under 16, the UK government has confirmed. The restrictions cover material showing people who are related or pretending to be related, as well as adults portrayed as under 16. The government says the offences apply to individuals and companies involved in creating, hosting or distributing the material. Possession can include storing an image on a phone or computer, while publication can include making it available online. Publication can carry a maximum prison sentence of five years. The penalties for possession vary by category: the government says possession of material depicting adults pretending to be under 16 can carry up to three years in prison, while possession of material depicting strangulation, suffocation or certain penetrative sexual activity between relatives can carry up to two years. The measures follow amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, which became law in April, and a 2025 review of explicit content regulation. The new offences apply in...