LONDON - The UK’s upper parliamentary chamber has approved a series of significant amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that would tighten rules around online adult material, performer rights and certain categories of explicit content.
Although the House of Lords has voted in favor of the changes, the bill is not yet law. It must return to the House of Commons for consideration of the new amendments before it can complete the legislative process.
“Step” Content Classified as Priority Offense
One of the most controversial amendments expands the scope of the Online Safety Act by making pornographic material depicting sexual activity between relatives a designated priority offense. That classification places it alongside the most serious categories of illegal online content, such as child sexual abuse material and terrorist propaganda.
While the government had previously resisted criminalizing content involving step-relatives, an amendment introduced in the House of Lords extended the ban to include so-called “step” scenarios. Supporters argued that excluding step-family depictions would create an obvious loophole, allowing incest-themed material to continue under slightly altered terminology.
If the bill becomes law with this provision intact, possession of prohibited material could carry penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. Publishing or distributing such content could result in up to five years in prison, financial penalties, or both.
Performers Given Right to Withdraw Consent
Peers also approved an amendment granting individuals appearing in adult content the right to withdraw consent to publication at any time even if they previously agreed under contract.
Under the proposal, once consent is revoked, platforms would be required to remove the content within 24 hours. The amendment states that earlier consent would become legally irrelevant if later withdrawn.
Government representatives said they understood the intended goal of strengthening performer protections but warned of practical complications. They noted that legally produced adult content, like other forms of film and entertainment, is typically governed by commercial contracts and intellectual property agreements. Altering those arrangements retroactively could create legal and financial uncertainty.
If adopted into law, violations could lead to up to two years’ imprisonment, fines, or both. Online platforms that fail to comply could face penalties of up to £18 million or 10% of their global annual revenue.
Ban on Adults Portraying Minors
Another approved amendment would outlaw adult content that imitates child sexual abuse by featuring performers who appear to be minors or are implied to be children.
Importantly, the rule would not require explicit statements about a character’s age. Authorities could consider elements such as costume, setting and presentation when determining whether an adult performer is portraying a minor.
The government opposed this change, arguing that it could complicate enforcement of existing child protection laws. Officials warned that expanding the definition to include consenting adults acting as minors might divert police resources away from identifying real victims of child exploitation.
They stressed that the central purpose of current legislation is to criminalize indecent images of actual children and to safeguard those at risk. Broadening the law, they argued, could blur enforcement priorities.
If the bill passes with this amendment included, such material would also be treated as a priority offense under the Online Safety Act.
Pressure for Stronger Industry Regulation
The push for tougher regulation gained momentum following the publication earlier this year of a government-commissioned review into the pornography sector. The report recommended banning adult content considered degrading, violent or misogynistic.
As a result, the Crime and Policing Bill already includes measures targeting depictions of nonfatal strangulation often referred to as “choking” within adult material.
During debate, supporters of the new amendments sharply criticized the online adult industry, arguing that profit-driven algorithms have incentivized increasingly extreme content. They cited concerns about exploitation, trafficking and the continued accessibility of abusive material online.
Advocates for reform called for stronger intervention and more aggressive oversight across the adult content ecosystem, arguing that voluntary or light-touch regulation has not been sufficient.
What Happens Now
With the amendments approved by the House of Lords, the Crime and Policing Bill now returns to the House of Commons. Lawmakers there will decide whether to accept, modify or reject the changes.
Only if both chambers agree on the final version and the bill receives Royal Assent will the new measures become law.
