Part 10Communications offences

False and threatening communications offences

• Section 179False communications offence

  (1) A person commits an offence if— (a) the person sends a message (see section 182 ), (b) the message conveys information that the person knows to be…

• Section 180Exemptions from offence under section 179

  (1) A recognised news publisher cannot commit an offence under section 179 . (2) An offence under section 179 cannot be committed by the holder of a licence…

• Section 181Threatening communications offence

  (1) A person commits an offence if— (a) the person sends a message (see section 182 ), (b) the message conveys a threat of death or serious harm,…

• Section 182Interpretation of sections 179 to 181

  (1) This section applies for the purposes of sections 179 to 181 , and references in this section to an offence are to an offence under section 179…

Offences of sending or showing flashing images

• Section 183Offences of sending or showing flashing images electronically

  (1) A person (A) commits an offence if— (a) A sends a communication by electronic means which consists of or includes flashing images (see subsection (13) ), (b)…

Offence of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm

• Section 184Offence of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm

  (1) A person (D) commits an offence if— (a) D does a relevant act capable of encouraging or assisting the serious self-harm of another person, and (b) D’s…

Further provision

• Section 185Extra-territorial application and jurisdiction

  (1) Sections 179(1) , 181(1) and 183(1) apply to an act done outside the United Kingdom, but only if the act is done by a person within subsection…

• Section 186Liability of corporate officers

  (1) If an offence under section 179 , 181 , 183 or 184 is committed by a body corporate and it is proved that the offence— (a) has…

Offences to be inserted into Sexual Offences Act 2003

• Section 187Sending etc photograph or film of genitals

  In the Sexual Offences Act 2003 , after section 66 insert— “ 66A Sending etc photograph or film of genitals (1) A person (A) who intentionally sends or…

• Section 188Sharing or threatening to share intimate photograph or film

  In the Sexual Offences Act 2003 , after section 66A (inserted by section 187), insert— “ 66B Sharing or threatening to share intimate photograph or film (1) A…

Repeals and amendments in connection with offences

• Section 189Repeals in connection with offences under sections 179 and 181

  (1) Section 127(2) (a) and (b) of the Communications Act (false messages) is repealed so far as it extends to England and Wales and Northern Ireland. (2) The…

• Section 190Repeals in connection with offences under section 188

  Sections 33 to 35 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (disclosing or threatening to disclose private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress) are…

• Section 191Consequential amendments

  (1) Part 1 of Schedule 14 contains amendments consequential on sections 179 , 181 and 183 . (2) Part 2 of Schedule 14 contains amendments consequential on section…