Google Partners with UK Nonprofit to Remove Intimate Images

Google Collaborates with StopNCII to Fight Nonconsensual Intimate Images

Google is strengthening its commitment to addressing the proliferation of nonconsensual intimate images, frequently referred to as revenge porn, through a new partnership with the U.K.-based nonprofit organization, StopNCII.

Proactive Image Removal Through Hash Technology

The collaboration will see Google utilizing StopNCII’s unique hashing system. These hashes function as digital fingerprints for images and videos.

This implementation will enable the proactive identification and removal of nonconsensual intimate imagery directly from Google Search results.

How StopNCII’s System Works

StopNCII empowers individuals to protect their private images from unauthorized online distribution. It achieves this by generating a unique identifier, or hash, for each piece of intimate imagery.

These hashes are then shared with partner platforms, such as Facebook, facilitating the automatic detection and removal of matching content.

Privacy and Security of Personal Data

It is crucial to understand that the actual private imagery remains securely on the user’s device. Only the hash, a non-identifiable digital signature, is uploaded to StopNCII’s system.

Google’s Existing Efforts and Future Goals

“We currently offer tools allowing individuals to request the removal of NCII from Search, and have consistently improved our ranking algorithms to diminish the visibility of this harmful content,” Google stated in a recent blog post.

“However, recognizing the vastness of the open web, we acknowledge the need to further alleviate the burden on those impacted by this issue, as voiced by survivors and advocacy groups.”

Delayed Adoption and Industry Collaboration

Google’s integration of StopNCII’s system follows a year after Microsoft incorporated the tool into its Bing search engine.

A growing number of companies have already partnered with StopNCII, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Bumble, Snapchat, OnlyFans, and X, among others.

Continued Commitment to Combating Abuse

This partnership represents Google’s latest initiative in the ongoing fight against nonconsensual intimate images. Last year, the company streamlined the process for removing deepfake nonconsensual intimate images from Google Search and reduced their discoverability.