The British government is introducing new restrictions on pornography depicting strangulation, suffocation, incest, and adults roleplaying as children under 16, with the measures taking effect on November 6 in England and Wales.

Under the new rules, it will be a criminal offense to possess or publish pornographic images that explicitly and realistically depict strangulation or suffocation, certain sexual acts between people portrayed as relatives, or sexual activity involving adults pretending to be under 16. The rules apply to material depicting people who appear to be real, including realistic generated images.

The measures are part of the U.K.’s Crime and Policing Act 2026 and follow recommendations from an independent review of pornography regulation led by Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin. The review raised concerns that depictions of choking have become widespread online and could influence attitudes and behavior, particularly among young people.

The government has argued that the restrictions are intended to prevent harmful material from normalizing sexual violence, abusive family relationships, and child sexual abuse. Officials have emphasized that the law targets specified pornographic depictions rather than making consensual adult conduct itself illegal.

Penalties will vary according to the material and offense. Under the government’s guidance, possession of pornography depicting strangulation or certain incestuous activity can carry a maximum prison sentence of two years, while possession of material depicting sexual activity involving someone portrayed as under 16 can carry up to three years. Publishing covered material can carry a maximum sentence of five years.

The rules also require people who already possess covered material to permanently delete it or otherwise dispose of it before November 6 to avoid committing an offense once the provisions take effect. People who have uploaded or shared prohibited material must remove it and stop making it available.

The changes form part of a broader British government effort to tighten regulation of online sexual content and strengthen protections against violence and abuse. The new restrictions will apply in England and Wales.