Google Strengthens Fight Against Non-Consensual intimate Imagery with StopNCII Partnership
Google is expanding it’s efforts to combat the spread of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) through a new collaboration with StopNCII.org, a project of the UK-based charity South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL). This partnership represents a notable step in proactively protecting individuals from this form of online abuse.
For some time, Google has offered tools allowing individuals to request the removal of NCII from its Search results and has implemented ranking adjustments to limit the visibility of such content. Recognizing the vastness of the internet and the burden placed on victims, Google is now leveraging technology to enhance its response.
In the coming months, Google will begin utilizing “hashes” provided by StopNCII.org. These hashes are unique digital fingerprints of images and videos. By proactively identifying content matching these hashes, Google can swiftly remove imagery that violates its NCII policy.
StopNCII.org empowers individuals concerned about the non-consensual sharing of thier intimate images by enabling them to create these unique identifiers. These hashes are then shared with participating companies – including Google - allowing for faster detection and removal of abusive content.
this initiative underscores Google’s ongoing commitment to online safety. The company is also participating in the NCII London Summit, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society organizations to foster collaboration and explore further solutions to empower survivors and address this pervasive issue.
