List of banned sex acts in porn updated with two new categories
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
The United Kingdom has unveiled new measures to tighten controls on harmful pornography, set out in amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill published last week (10 April).
The changes will make it a criminal offence to publish or possess material depicting incest, including between step or foster relatives, and pornography involving adults roleplaying as children.
Publishing such content could lead to a maximum five-year prison sentence. Possession carries lower penalties, up to three years for material involving adults roleplaying as children, and up to two years for incest-related content.
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Further details are expected in 'due course', according to Gov.uk.
But what other sex acts have been banned from porn in the UK now that these two new categories are set to be added?
Incest, step incest and the mimicking of child sexual abuse
Baroness Bertin, Lead reviewer of the Independent Pornography Review, said in a statement last week (10 April): "I greatly welcome the Government’s plans to fully address harmful pornographic content such as incest, step incest and the mimicking of child sexual abuse.
This content that is freely and widely available online is deeply harmful, normalising child sexual abuse and abusive relationships within families.
"My review on pornography is clear that the production and dissemination of this content should be made illegal, which is why I laid amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise this type of content."
She continued: "My review is also clear that the people who appear in pornography are at a high risk of exploitation, coercion and violence, which is why the onus should be on pornography platforms to ensure that everyone who appears in pornographic content is over the age of 18 and has given their consent, and that they have the right to withdraw that consent.
"Given the ongoing impact of pornography on violence against women and children, I and others across the political divide have worked hard to ensure that this issue has remained in the spotlight.
"Today the Government has answered our calls for change, and I am delighted that once again the UK is leading the way on regulating this high-harm industry. I commend the Government for their work in this area and look forward to continuing to work with them as we make the online and offline world safer for everyone."
Pornography depicting incest, step incest and the mimicking of child sexual abuse is set to be banned in the UK (Getty Stock Images)
Choking/strangulation
The UK government announced in November 2025 that pornography depicting strangulation or choking would be made illegal through the Crime and Policing Bill.
Gov.uk reports that the Independent Porn Review found that choking during sex had been normalised through the consumption of pornography, as well as having created the belief that it is safe to choke a partner during sex because it is non-fatal.
Baroness Gabby Bertin, who conducted the review, previously told the BBC that online pornography was fuelling the 'gravest issues in our society, from domestic violence to toxic masculinity to the mental health crisis among young people', and that it wasn't as 'properly scrutinised and regulated' as offline content.
This 'degrading' content also has 'real-life consequences' for young women and girls, Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones, said.
"Cracking down on the appalling rise of strangulation pornography will protect women and send a clear signal to men and boys that misogyny will not be tolerated."
Meanwhile, Andrea Simon, of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, also added: "We welcome the government’s decision to criminalise the depiction of strangulation in pornography.
"Women cannot consent to the long-term harm it can cause, including impaired cognitive functioning and memory."
She continued: "This is a vital step towards recognising the role violent pornography plays in shaping attitudes to women and regulating an industry which promotes and profits from violence against women."
The depiction of strangulation in pornography will be designated as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act, meaning platforms will be held accountable and ensure content does not spread, which can lead to normalising harmful practices in people’s private lives.
Anything listed under Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
Anything covered by Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 is unlawful to possess. This includes extreme pornographic images that depict life-threatening situations or acts likely to cause harm to a person’s genitals, anus, or breasts.
It also covers sexual activity involving animals, including intercourse or oral sex, and any material that appears to show sexual intercourse with a human corpse.
An act being legal between consenting adults does not automatically make its production or distribution lawful.
Terms such as 'serious injury', 'threatening life', and 'explicit or realistic depiction' are used in the legislation, but their meaning can vary depending on how courts and prosecutors apply them.
Material involving consenting adults, no unlawful participants, and no clear serious harm is more likely to fall within legal boundaries.
That said, legality still depends on the specific circumstances around how the content is created and shared.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Topics: UK News, Sex and Relationships, News, Explained, Crime, Social Media, Technology
Rhiannon Ingle