INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightGetty ImagesFacebook is asking British users to send naked photos of themselves to the social network, to try to stop revenge
porn.If you're worried an intimate photo of you could be shared by someone else, the idea is to get it blocked before it appears
online.Similar technology is used to try to stop the spread of child abuse images.Facebook's been testing the system in Australia and is
extending the trial to the UK, the USA and Canada.A spokesman told Newsbeat the idea is open to people in the UK now.Revenge Porn: What to
do if you're a victimFacebook hasn't revealed any details about how the trial in Australia went - but obviously, the idea requires a huge
leap of faith.Would you send sexually explicit photos of yourself to FacebookCould you be certain the image would be handled sensitively -
and crucially, not sharedHow it worksIf there's an image you're worried about, Facebook says you should contact its partner for the trial
In the UK, it's the Revenge Porn Helpline.Staff there will then get in touch with Facebook and you'll get sent a link to upload the
photo.Media captionWATCH: My revenge porn storyWho will see my naked photoFacebook's Global Head of Safety Antigone Davis told Newsbeat that
photos will only be seen by "a very small group of about five specially trained reviewers".They'll give the photo a unique digital
fingerprint - something called hashing.That code will then be stored on a database
If anyone else tries to upload the same photo, the code will be recognised and it'll be blocked before it appears on Facebook, Instagram and
Messenger.The original photos will not be stored.Image copyrightDuncan MiddletonWill the idea definitely workAntigone Davis admits there's
"no 100% guarantee when it comes to photo-matching technologies".That's because it's possible to manipulate images so they're different to
But she says they are getting better at it.This whole system only works if you actually have the image you're worried about
If, for example, your ex took a load of photos on their phone and you don't have them, this idea doesn't help.The UK's Revenge Porn Helpline
has seen huge year-on-year increases in reported incidents since it was launched in 2015.The hotline received just over 500 reports in 2015
and more than 1,000 in 2017.Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on
TheIndianSubcontinent Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here.
