Sex workers are warning they could lose their livelihoods as a new government crackdown comes into force. Critics are slamming the new porn rules as vague, “diabolical” and a change that could criminalise content creators and even private couples.
From Friday (November 6), it has become a criminal offence in England and Wales to possess or publish pornographic images that “explicitly and realistically depict” strangulation or suffocation, under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, according to official guidance on GOV.UK. The change also bans pornography which depicts strangulation or suffocation, incest and/or “adults roleplaying as children”.
Government Targets Harmful Content
The Ministry of Justice says the Government is targeting content it believes can shape real-world behaviour by “normalising harmful or illegal sexual behaviour”. But sex educator and adult creator Max Hovey, 27, from Kent, exclusively told the Daily Star the way the law is written will lead to confusion.
He said: “They’ve gone from being like, ‘We’re going to ban choking depicted in porn’… but then they’ve also gone, ‘oh, but also suffocation’. In the legislation, it’s not defined, so it now means that it’s completely open to interpretation.” Max said that while the dangers around choking are backed by medical evidence, the wider net being cast is leaving creators terrified.
Definitions Left to Courts
Under the GOV.UK guidance, “strangulation” and “suffocation” are not defined in the legislation and will be given their “ordinary meaning” by courts. The government says it considers strangulation to generally mean one person applying pressure to another person’s neck, while suffocation generally means depriving someone of air - including covering someone’s mouth and nose or compressing their chest.
Max warned that’s exactly the problem. “They need to clarify the definition,” he said. “When you ram legislation through like this… there’s just so much room for error.” The government says the maximum penalty for possession of pornography depicting strangulation or suffocation is two years’ imprisonment, while publication can carry up to five years.
Crucially, the official guidance also states “possession is a continuing act” - meaning anyone who already has banned images “will need to permanently delete” them before the law kicks in. It adds that publication can also be continuing, so content previously uploaded must be removed and no longer made available.
Platforms Remove Content
One way the new law is already biting is through platforms moving fast to protect themselves. Adult site iWantClips has told UK-based performers it must remove entire categories, warning the requirement applies to “possession as well as publication”. In a notice to artists, the platform lists a sweeping set of affected categories including “Choking Fantasy Play”, “Breath Play Fantasy”, “Smother”, and “Hand Over Mouth” and “Face Sitting”.
It further says the content will be removed from performers’ stores entirely, not just hidden from UK viewers. The company stresses it is “a legal requirement under UK law” for all artists located in the UK and “not a reflection on your content”, but for creators it effectively means previously saleable videos are being wiped overnight.
Two adult workers, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Daily Star they fear being pushed out of work overnight. “Margot” (a borrowed name) said the clampdown hits the exact kind of fantasy content she sells. She said: “We’re going to be losing quite a substantial income.” Margot said the ban doesn’t just threaten online sales, but also bookings.
Creators Fear Financial Fallout
“We get clients because of that,” she explained. “If they don’t see that we do that, they most likely are not going to book… we’re going to be not only losing the income from clips, but also… from sessions.” Margot also described feeling stigmatised by the new rules. “Literally… you feel like a criminal all of a sudden,” she said.
Another performer, using the name “Daniele”, said the change could be devastating - especially as a new mum. “For me… it’s my income,” she said. “The laws are quite vague.” Daniele added: “I’ve recently had a baby. I can do a day of filming, then, after I put my son to bed, doing my editing. So, by directly taking away that, you are taking away my ability to work.”
She said the financial fallout could push her towards claiming support she doesn’t want. “Potentially, yes. I don’t want to do that [go on benefits]. I want to be able to work… I don’t want to ask for handouts.”
Calls for Industry Consultation
Max believes the government is creating panic without properly consulting those who understand sex, consent and harm reduction. He called the lack of definition around suffocation “diabolical” and shared a blunt message with MPs. “Consult with the industry before you start making these decisions. Consult with the experts. Define things. Give people greater clarity.”
Government officials have defended the decision, with Minister for Victims Alex Davies Jones claiming the laws weren't designed “to kink shame anyone”. She added: “This isn’t about us being judgemental about individuals if what they are doing is safe, legal and consensual. But I have recognised the impact that harmful pornography is having on society. It’s why we’ve taken the steps to make certain types of content illegal. I think as a society there needs to be a wider conversation about this.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice added: “We’re committed to halving violence against women and girls in a decade, and that includes preventing harm before it starts. These laws aren’t about policing people’s sexual freedom, they’re about cracking down on content that normalizes violence against women, encourages unlawful behavior, and can cause real-world harm.”
