Cyber-flashing and Online Safety Act in England

Nicholas Hawkes, a convicted sex offender in England, was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison for cyber-flashing under the Online Safety Act. The law makes it an offense to send unsolicited sexual images via social media or technologies like Bluetooth.

First Person Jailed for Cyber-Flashing Offence

Nicholas Hawkes has been jailed for 66 weeks for cyber-flashing, sending unsolicited explicit photos to a 15-year-old and a woman. Cyber flashing refers to sending unsolicited sexual images via social media, dating apps, or text messages. This became an offence in England and Wales on January 31 under the Online Safety Act.