The NCII Summit, held during the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), convened key stakeholders from technology, policy, and advocacy sectors to address the pressing issue of Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (NCII). This event provided a vital platform to discuss the escalating challenge of Tech-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls (TFVAWG) and to emphasize the collective efforts required to drive meaningful change.
Collective Efforts to Combat NCII
The summit underscored the growing recognition of NCII as a severe and often under-documented form of abuse. Despite advancements in awareness and policy, the harm caused by NCII continues to expand. The event facilitated essential conversations about technological solutions, evolving regulations, and the increasing number of platforms committing to integrated safety measures.
Contributions from a diverse range of global experts and policymakers enriched the summit's discourse. Notable speakers included Courtney Gregoire (Microsoft), Delphine Schantz (UNODC), Kirith Entwistle MP (UK Women and Equalities Committee), and Maria Andriani Kostopoulou (President of GREVIO). Tech industry leaders from Meta, TikTok, and Microsoft shared their latest approaches to combating NCII, alongside leading NGOs such as CCRI (USA), WESNET (Australia), ONG Amaranta (Chile), and the UK's Revenge Porn Helpline.
A significant moment was Senator Ted Cruz's video address, acknowledging the severity of NCII and the global efforts needed to protect individuals online.
Regulatory and Policy Developments
A key discussion at the summit revolved around the evolving global regulatory landscape. Policymakers and legal experts examined recent legislative advancements, including the UK’s Online Safety Act, the SHIELD Act and Take It Down Program in the U.S., and Article 16 of the UN Convention on Cybercrime. The panel emphasized the necessity for harmonized international policies to ensure comprehensive protections against NCII.
Technology’s Role in Preventing NCII
The summit also served as a platform to highlight the latest technological responses to NCII. Platforms demonstrated how advancements in hash-sharing and AI-driven detection systems are helping to prevent intimate images from being shared without consent. StopNCII.org, the global initiative launched by SWGfL, remains at the forefront of this effort, with growing industry adoption.
A major announcement at the summit was Patreon's integration of StopNCII.org, reinforcing industry-wide momentum towards proactive safety measures. New impact figures were also released:
- 1.3 million hashes have been created through StopNCII.org, empowering individuals to protect their images proactively.
- Over 25,000 NCII images have been successfully prevented from being shared online, demonstrating the tangible impact of technological interventions.
In the technology and industry panel, Meta discussed the platform's implementation of protective measures against NCII abuse and issues such as sextortion. She emphasized that prevention is key and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts with initiatives like StopNCII.org.
TikTok highlighted the platform's user protection priority. TikTok's policies do not allow non-consensually shared intimate images, and their Safety Centre focuses on image-based sexual abuse.
The panel also addressed the evolution of AI technology and how platforms can disrupt and stop the misuse of apps to create synthetic sexual media, further highlighting the need for cross-industry collaboration.
Survivor Testimonies: The Human Impact
One of the most powerful moments of the summit came from a survivor who bravely shared her experience with NCII. Her testimony highlighted the emotional, social, and economic toll of intimate image abuse and reinforced the urgent need for survivor-centered policies and stronger support systems. The discussion also addressed gaps in current victim assistance programs and the importance of holistic support services.
NGOs and Cross-Sector Collaboration
NGOs from across the globe, including the Revenge Porn Helpline (UK), CCRI (USA), WESNET (Australia), and ONG Amaranta (Chile), played a vital role in the summit. They shared on-the-ground insights into the challenges faced by victims and the support mechanisms required to assist them effectively. The consensus emphasized that cross-sector collaboration is essential to create a safer online environment and to develop comprehensive strategies to combat NCII.
The NCII Summit served as a global call to action, uniting stakeholders in the fight against intimate image abuse. The collective insights and commitments from the event underscore the importance of continued collaboration, technological innovation, and survivor-centered approaches to effectively tackle NCII and protect individuals worldwide.
Actionable Outcomes from the Summit
The Summit concluded with a resounding commitment from stakeholders to continue strengthening global efforts to combat NCII. Key commitments included:
Enhancing Global Collaboration: Strengthening coordination between tech companies, governments, and advocacy groups to improve responses to NCII and TFVAWG.
Policy Development and Legislative Alignment: Calls for harmonised global policies to ensure consistency in how NCII offenses are addressed.
Investment in Technology and Prevention Measures: Tech firms pledged to expand hash-sharing databases, improve automated detection, and strengthen reporting mechanisms.
Amplifying Survivor Voices: Ensuring that survivor experiences remain central to policy discussions and industry commitments.
Data-Driven Research Initiatives: Recognising the need for comprehensive data, researchers and organisations committed to prioritising studies that document the prevalence, impact, and effectiveness of interventions.
A Call to Action
The NCII Summit was a landmark event, reinforcing the urgency of tackling Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse and Tech-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls. By uniting global leaders in technology, policy, and advocacy, the Summit set the stage for continued advancements in regulation, technological innovation, and survivor support.
As the global fight against NCII progresses, collaborative, sustained efforts will be required to ensure a safer digital world for all. The NCII Summit was not just a conversation—it was a call to action, and the momentum generated must continue to drive impactful change in the fight against online abuse.
