Google will upgrade its revenge porn defenses with help from a UK nonprofit
Google is expanding its tools to better fight non-consensual intimate imagery (aka “revenge porn”) through a new partnership with a UK nonprofit. The move comes amid criticism that existing protections are insufficient given how rapidly such content is shared and duplicated online. Under the plan, Google aims to use cryptographic “hashing” to recognize and block intimate images that have been flagged as non-consensual, even if they are re-uploaded or slightly altered. The company also intends to refine its reporting and takedown mechanisms so victims can more effectively request removal from search results. Still, obstacles remain: distinguishing between consensual and non-consensual content is technically and legally complex, and the scale of uploads makes moderation difficult. Critics argue Google must take more proactive responsibility, rather than relying on victims to continuously monitor and submit takedown requests.
