Cyber Security Authority Highlights StopNCII Tool to Combat Rising Cases of Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse in Ghana

In response to a sharp rise in online blackmail and sextortion, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in Ghana is highlighting the StopNCII tool, a free global resource designed to prevent the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. As digital threats evolve, the CSA emphasizes that leaking or sharing private content without consent is a serious criminal offense under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). This initiative is part of a broader effort to protect the mental health and well-being of citizens, offering a proactive shield against the devastating psychological harm caused by the unauthorized spread of sensitive material. Launched in 2021 by the UK-based charity SWGfL, StopNCII operates on a "privacy-first" principle. Unlike traditional platforms that may require content uploads, this tool uses perceptual hashing technology to create a unique digital fingerprint of an image or video directly on the user's device. This process ensures that the actual intimate files never leave the owner's control or reside on the platform's servers. These hashes are then shared with participating social media and tech companies, who use them to identify and automatically block the specific content from being uploaded or shared across their networks. The impact of the tool has been significant on a global scale. By early 2025, StopNCII had supported over 785,000 cases and successfully protected approximately 2 million images from unauthorized distribution. In Ghana, the CSA has noted that such technological interventions are becoming essential to mitigate the rise in sextortion cases. The authority warns that "revenge porn" is not only a violation of privacy but a felony that carries severe legal consequences, including heavy fines and imprisonment for perpetrators, which serves as a deterrent to safeguard the digital safety of the public. To utilize the service, individuals are encouraged to visit the official StopNCII website, where they can create a case and receive a unique access code to track the status of their request. The CSA continues to urge Ghanaians to exercise caution online and to report incidents of digital extortion immediately. By combining technological solutions like StopNCII with strict legal enforcement, officials hope to create a safer digital environment that prioritizes the dignity and psychological security of all internet users in the country.