{
  "id": 18272144,
  "title": "A New UK Porn Ban Sparks Fears of Unprecedented Sex Censorship",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/a-new-uk-porn-ban-sparks-fears-of-unprecedented-sex-censorship",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-05T07:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Wired",
    "slug": "wired",
    "url": "https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-uk-ban-sparks-fears-of-unprecedented-sex-censorship/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On November 6, amendments to the Crime and Policing Act in the UK came into effect, outlawing the \"possession or publication of pornographic images of strangulation or suffocation.\" While the law is supposed to combat violence against women and girls, experts warn it could potentially criminalize innocent content. Myles Jackman, an obscenity lawyer in the UK, fears this legislation might be one of the greatest acts of suppression of free speech in global history. The amendments were inspired by a review authored by Baroness Gabby Bertin, who cites \"anecdotal evidence\" suggesting that certain porn content could be used to facilitate child abuse. The new law imposes up to five years in prison and a fine for those distributing or possessing such content. Content creators are scrambling to remove potentially banned material from their libraries, fearing the law's broad interpretation. Alexandra Snow, an adult content creator, worries that \"suffocation or strangulation\" content may be targeted, affecting kink creators engaging in collaring or leather fetishes. AI image-recognition software on platforms could also flag innocent content inadvertently. Cami Strella, an OnlyFans creator, argues that more sex education is needed to address risky behaviors than to ban content. The UK's approach to internet pornography is stricter than the US, where platforms like Facebook face no liability for hosting objectionable content. Despite the legislation's target on choking depictions, which have led to real-life fatalities, the law's broad language raises concerns among legal experts and content creators alike. The UK's Ministry of Justice denies the intent to curb sexual expression, stating the laws aim to prevent harm before it starts by tackling content that normalizes violence against women and encourages unlawful behavior.",
  "summary": "Adult content creators and free speech advocates are sounding the alarm over a new law about to take effect in the United Kingdom banning simulated incest and some depictions of oral sex.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}