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Screenshotting disappearing nudes could soon be illegal in the UK

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6 hours ago

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In Feb. 2026, the UK government announced a ban on incest porn, as well as other bans to do with explicit images, as part of the UK's Crime and Policing Bill. While it's not currently law yet, it's already dredging up discussion online — especially considering last year's Online Safety Act, which established age verification in the country.

Mashable spoke with experts about what these bans entail and why they matter.

What is the incest porn ban in the UK?

On Feb. 23, Lord Hanson and Baroness Levitt announced a ban on incest porn and other explicit content in an open letter to Lord Davies at the House of Lords, the upper house of UK Parliament.

SEE ALSO:

Teens sue xAI for Grok's reported sexual image generation issues

Specifically, the amendment (numbered 297 in the marshalled list of amendments from Feb. 23) makes the possession and/or publishing of pornographic images of sex between relatives illegal — even if the people in the image are pretending to be related. This also applies to adopted relatives and, as of March 2, step-relatives. Possession can result in a fine and/or a prison sentence of up to two years, and publishing such an image can result in a prison sentence of up to five years.

This ban in particular has faced backlash on social media, with one Bluesky user posting at the time of the announcement, "im really upset and idk what to do [sic]." Another Bluesky user said, "I find it rich that any country with a royal family would try to ban incest art."

The proposed ban fits into a different category of reforms that the government is making around the content of mainstream pornography, like the strangulation porn ban the UK announced in Nov., according to Clare McGlynn, law professor at the University of Durham. McGlynn, an expert in the legal regulation of porn in the UK, has worked with various parliamentarians and made suggestions about legislation.

"Incest pornography is…another part of that," she said, "Really trying to change the content that is online."

What are the image-based sexual abuse bans?

In addition to the incest porn ban, the new amendments seek to ban what the government is calling intimate image abuses, specifically, banning screenshotting temporary intimate images without consent and semen-defaced images (known as "cum tributes" or "hatewank videos").

SEE ALSO:

How 'hatewank' videos became a tool for harassing women in the public eye

"The introduction of new image-based sexual abuse legislation is essential for protecting fundamental human rights," sex educator Jessie Gretener told Mashable. "The right to bodily autonomy extends beyond physical experiences, and therefore, legal frameworks need to reflect the harmful and degrading acts that compromise the safety and agency of people — online and offline."

The latest reporting from the UK's Office of National Statistic state that 900,000 sexual offenses were reported over the course of 12 months from 2024 to 2025, but Gretener said, "The reality is always significantly higher."

One crucial point, according to Gretener, is that the number of sexual offenses recorded by the police increased by 11 percent, which is partially attributed to prior image-based abuse legislation introduced under the Online Safety Act.

Screenshotting temporary nudes

This amendment (281) would make it an offense for someone to create a copy of an intimate photograph or film that is shared with them temporarily without consent. An exception is if the image or film was uploaded in a more public place, or if the person photographed doesn't have a reasonable expectation of privacy, or if the person had consented to previous sharing.

Should someone commit this offense, they'll face up to six months in prison, and/or a fine.

"Having your screenshots and your privacy leaked by someone that you feel you can trust is incredibly damaging," sex educator, sex worker, and host of the podcast Come Curious, Reed Amber, told Mashable.

This law "will protect more people from fearing that sharing an enjoyable, exciting, intimate moment with somebody won't be used against you in the future," she said.

Semen-defaced images

This amendment (278) would make it illegal to share a semen-defaced image if the person whose image it is doesn't consent to it, or the sharer doesn't reasonably think they do. This also includes graphics generated by a computer. In her interview with Mashable, McGlynn mentioned Grok and AI-generated images of semen on X.

As with screenshotting without consent, this act faces a maximum prison sentence of six months and/or a fine.

Amber said that she's personally had two images of her with semen on them sent to her non-consensually.

"As a sex worker, this is the kind of content I see on a regular basis and in my in-person sessions, but to have somebody non-consensually do that without giving me a warning or without having a conversation around it first, it felt like a real personal invasion of privacy," she said. She fully stands by a ban on these non-consensual images.

"It's part and parcel of that kind of ecosystem, of the ways in which technologies and… images are being used to abuse and harass women," McGlynn said. "The offense is about trying to say to survivors, 'We recognize this is happening to you. It's harmful, it's wrong, it's violating. It shouldn't be on the platforms, and it'll be a criminal offense.'"

A ban on nudification tools in the UK

In addition to the aforementioned amendments, another one (272) is that it'd be illegal to make or supply "nudification tools," or "purported intimate image generators," as the bill calls them. This offense carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison and/or a fine.

This ban comes after a Jan. report Center for Countering Digital Hate found that Grok generated millions of sexualized images, including of children, in only 11 days. The UK is investigating Grok, as are Ireland, Brazil, India, and France. This month, three teens filed a lawsuit against xAI, which produced Grok, in a federal California court due to generating sexualized images of them.

The Crime and Policing Bill still has to go through several stages before becoming law. But given how the Online Safety Act has changed porn-viewing in the UK — such as Pornhub blocking itself, and non-pornographic content becoming age-gated — this will likely continue that trend.

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40+ home deals from Amazons Big Spring Sale for fresher air and cleaner floors

Published

5 hours ago

on

March 20, 2026

By

Best Big Spring Sale home deals
Best home tech deal

Amazon Echo Spot

$49.99 at Amazon
(save $30)

An Amazon Echo Spot

Best home air deal

Blueair Blue Signature

$299.99 at Amazon
(save $150)

The Blueair Blue Signature air purifier

Best vacuum deal

Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete

$1,499.99 at Amazon
(save $200)

Mashable Image

It's time for another Amazon sale event. To celebrate the changing seasons, Amazon is hosting its Big Spring Sale from March 25 to 31. The sale highlights warmer-weather products to get your home ready for spring and summer.

For your home, this means clean floors, clean air, and so much more. While the sale doesn't officially start until the 25th, early deals are aplenty, with special attention on Echo devices, air purifiers, and vacuums.

We rounded up the best deals from Amazon, Blueair, Dreo, Dyson, and more.

Best Big Spring Sale home tech deal


An Amazon Echo Spot

Credit: Amazon


Amazon Echo Spot
$49.99
at Amazon

$79.99
Save $30.00

With the clocks springing forward, you may be feeling a little groggy. If you need a boost in your morning, consider upgrading what's on your nightstand. During the lead-up to Amazon's Big Spring Sale, we spotted early savings on the Amazon Echo Spot.

This smart alarm clock packs everything you love about an Amazon Echo into a bedside device. It wakes you up but also helps you wind down. You can program it to start your day with a weather report and your favorite music.

Ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $49.99 and save $30 off its $79.99 list price.

More home tech deals

  • Blink Mini Indoor Security Camera — $14.99 $29.99 (save $15)

  • Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

  • Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)

  • Amazon Echo Show 5 — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

  • Amazon Echo Dot Max — $74.99 $99.99 (save $25)

  • Amazon Echo Show 8 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

  • Hatch Restore 3 – $144.99 $169.99 (save $25)

  • Amazon Echo Show 11 — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)

  • Amazon Echo Studio — $189.99 $219.99 (save $30)

  • Amazon Echo Show 21 — $349.99 $399.99 (save $50)

Best Big Spring Sale air purifier deal


The Blueair Blue Signature air purifier

Credit: Blueair


Blueair Blue Signature
$299.99
at Amazon

$449.99
Save $150

Warmer weather means you can put away your heavy winter coats and pull out the antihistamines because spring allergies are on their way. If you're already getting the pollen-induced sniffles, you can do one thing to protect your home air: get an air purifier.

The Blueair Blue Signature is a heavy-duty air purifier, able to clean up to 3,385 square feet. It removes smoke, dust, and pet hair for clean air and easy breathing.

More air purifier deals

  • Levoit Core 200S-P — $68.94 $89.99 (save $21.05)

  • Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max — $111.98 $139.99 (save $29.01)

  • Levoit Vital 100S — $113.95 $139.99 (save $26.04)

  • Shark NeverChange Compact Pro — $123.49 $159.99 (save $36.50)

  • Winix 5510 — $135.99 $179.99 (save $44)

  • Coway Airmega AP-1512HH(W) — $153.99 $229.99 (save $76)

  • Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max — $169 $229.99 (save $60.99)

  • Levoit Core 600S-P —$239.99 $299.99 (save $60)

  • Coway Airmega 300 — $308.99 $443 (save $134.01)

  • Blueair 2-in-1 Pro Air Purifier and Humidifier — $374.99 $499.99 (save $125)

  • Dyson HP1 Hot+Cool — $499 $659.99 (save $160.99)

Best cooling deals

  • Levoit Bladeless 36-inch Tower Fan — $54.98 $74.99 (save $20.01)

  • Dreo Nomad One DR-HTF007 Tower Fan — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)

  • Dreo Oscillating Standing Fan — $86.45 $99.99 (save $13.54)

Best Amazon Big Spring sale vacuum deal


DREAME X60 Max Ultra Complete Robot Vacuum and Mop, Upgraded from X50 Series, 3.13in (7.95cm) Ultra-Thin Design, 35,000Pa Suction, Self Emptying&Refilling, Mop Self-Cleaning, 280+ Obstacle Avoidance

Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete
$1,499.99
at Amazon

$1,699.99
Save $200

Read Mashable's review of the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete.

If you have the cash to burn and you’re looking for an investment piece, Mashable’s vacuum expert and senior shopping reporter, Leah Stodart, says the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is a “well-rounded premium robot vacuum,” especially for pet owners. It has a livestream pet camera and can clean edges and corners with precision. (Stodart says this vacuum is so good at cleaning corners that it’s dethroned the Roborock Saros 10R for corner mopping.)

“Measuring just over three inches tall, it's also easily the best slim robot vacuum out there — ideal for homes with low-clearance furniture, or expectations for cleaning under cabinets,” she says.

As of March 15, you can get the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete for $1,499.99, down from $1,699.99, at Amazon. That's a 12% discount or $200 savings.

More robot vacuum deals

  • Shark AV753 ION — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

  • iRobot Roomba 105 — $169 $319.99 (save $150.99)

  • Narwal Freo X Plus — $169.99 $199.99 (save $30)

  • Dreame D20 Plus — $259.99 $359.99 (save $100)

  • Mova P10 Pro Ultra — $399 $499 (save $100)

  • Eufy X10 Pro Omni — $499.99 $699.99 (save $200)

  • Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni — $599 $1,099.99 (save $500.99)

  • Eufy C28 — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

  • Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)

  • Roborock Saros 10R — $1,099.99 $1,599.99 (save $500)

More vacuum deals

  • Shark HV301 Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Vacuum — $99 $199.99 (save $100.99)

  • Shark IX141 Pet Cordless Vacuum — $149 $299.99 (save $150.99)

  • Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

  • Bissell TurboClean Pet XL — $159.99 $179.99 (save $20)

  • Shark IZ363HT Cordless Vacuum — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)

  • Dyson Car+Boat Handheld Cordless Vacuum — $229 $299.99 (save $70.99)

  • Shark IP3253 PowerDetect Pet Plus Cordless Vacuum — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

More home deals

  • Warlisou Adjustable Candle Warmer Lamp — $8.49 $19.99 (save $11.50 with on-page coupon)

  • Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow — $67.15 $79 (save $11.85)

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Tech

Polymarket set to open a bar dedicated to monitoring the situation

Published

6 hours ago

on

March 20, 2026

By

Online betting platforms have users betting on nuclear war — and now, apparently, they'll be able to bet on humanity's destruction in person.

Prediction market site Polymarket announced on social media yesterday that its bar The Situation Room will open in Washington, D.C., tomorrow.

Polymarket calls it "the world's first bar dedicated to monitoring the situation," referencing the meme of looking at the news or, for bettors, the market.

SEE ALSO:

The Looksmaxxing Glossary: Every term you need to understand the internet's most unhinged subculture

In a follow-up post, Polymarket stated, "Imagine a sports bar… but just for situation monitoring — live X feeds, flight radar, Bloomberg terminals, and Polymarket screens." The concept artwork features not just a bar with screens on the walls, as is typical of any sports bar, but also additional screens on columns and what appears to be a globe in the center of the room (it seems to be a screen, like a mini-Vegas Sphere).

As Mashable has reported, online gambling is everywhere now. The wave that began with sports betting has exploded into wagering money on basically everything — including aforementioned nuclear fallout, but also which movie will win Best Picture, how many times Elon Musk will post on X in a given month, and more.

Given the gambling boom, it makes sense that Polymarket is capitalizing on it and turning it into an IRL experience. And it's not the first; in February, Polymarket opened a free grocery store in New York City for five days.

Who wants to bet on how odd that bar will smell?

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The best creator-approved deals to shop before Amazons Big Spring Sale — save on DJI, Insta360, and SanDisk

Published

6 hours ago

on

March 20, 2026

By

Best early creator-approved deals to shop before the Amazon Big Spring Sale
Best drone deal

DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo

$309 at Amazon
(save $140)

DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo

Best portable mic deal

DJI Mic Mini (2 transmitters + 1 receiver)

$59 at Amazon
(save $20)

DJI Mic Mini (2 transmitters + 1 receiver)

Best podcast mic deal

Logitech Creators Blue Yeti Microphone

$98 at Amazon
(save $41.99)

Logitech Creators Blue Yeti Microphone

Best portable power station deal

DJI Power 1000 V2

$364 at Amazon
(save $335)

DJI Power 1000 V2

Best gimbal deal

Insta360 Flow 2 Plus Gimbal

$99.99 at Amazon
(save $30)

Insta360 Flow 2 Plus Gimbal

Best camera bundle deal

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo

$549.99 at Amazon
(save $79.01)

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo

Best storage deal

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD

$188.79 at Amazon
(save $94.20)

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD

Creators are well known for having an arsenal of great gadgets. From cameras to mics to clip-on lighting options, creator-approved tech makes the job a whole lot easier. Not only does it help with making the process more streamlined, it can level-up the polish on content creations.

SEE ALSO:

Snag some serious DJI discounts before the Amazon Big Spring Sale lands

Not all of this gear comes cheap, which is why it's smart to make upgrades during major shopping events like the upcoming Amazon Big Spring Sale. Fortunately, we're already seeing nice discounts on creator-approved gear before the sale officially begins. Here are some of the best early creator-approved deals to shop ahead of the event.

Best drone deal


DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo

Credit: DJI


DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo
$309
at Amazon

$449
Save $140

Why we like it

Finding DJI drones in stock has been an issue since the brand faced an FCC ban late last year. However, not only is the DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo in stock at Amazon right now, it's down to a new record-low price. Instead of paying the list price of $449 for the combo drone package, it's down to $309 which is a major 31% discount.

The bundle includes the DJI Mini 4K drone, three batteries for a total of 93 minutes of flight time, a carrying case, the DJI RC-N1C remote controller, and plenty more accessories for getting you drone in the air and capturing content.

Best mic deal


DJI Mic Mini (2 transmitters + 1 receiver)

Credit: DJI

Why we like it

Over the last few years, the DJI Mic Mini has become the creator-approved mic. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard tested out the DJI Mic Mini to see if it lived up to hype and found that it is, indeed, a great asset. She wrote, "If you need any degree of portability with your mic setup, the DJI Mic Mini offers a lot of versatility, and for a great value. That makes it a solid option for making vlogs and TikToks, and for anyone who feels less than confident with their tech skills."

Before the Amazon sale kicks off, the DJI Mic Mini with two receivers and one transmitter is on sale for $59, marked down from the list price of $79. This sale price matches the record-low at Amazon.

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