From September: Sending unsolicited dick pics will be punishable!

From September: Sending unsolicited dick pics will be punishable!

From September 1, 2025, sending unsolicited so-called “dick pics” will be punishable in Austria. This new law, passed in July 2025, aims to combat sexual harassment and includes images of both male and female sexual organs. The penalty for sending such images can be up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 360 daily rates. What begins as a personal problem is now treated as a criminal offense by the law. 5min reports that this regulation applies regardless of the platform through which the images are sent.

A current study shows alarming data: almost one in three women in Austria has already received unsolicited “dick pics”. The proportion is particularly high among young women from Generation Z, where 68% have had this experience. The emotional reactions to such images vary; 70% of the women surveyed find sending them unsolicited very problematic, and many report disgust, anger or shock. Great magazine describes that 58% of women also demand the immediate exclusion of users who send intimate images without asking.

Social relevance and support for the new regulation

The National Council voted with an overwhelming majority for the law that criminalizes the unsolicited sending of intimate images. Justice Minister Anna Sporrer emphasizes the seriousness of digital sexual harassment. The regulation was supported by the SPÖ and ÖVP parties, which speak out against the supposed legal freedom in digital spaces. Meanwhile, freedom activists criticize the regulation as excessive. The law expands the criminal offense of sexual harassment and will come into force on September 1, 2025. Parliament.gv.at also highlights that this law is part of a broader political commitment to protect against sexual harassment.

Society is becoming increasingly sensitive to the issue of digital harassment. According to the study, 67% of women who received dick pics blocked the sender, while around 40% reported the message or profile. Many women take active measures to protect themselves: 51% use the blocking and reporting functions on the platforms. Older users tend to delete unpleasant content without replying, while younger women often rely on digital countermeasures.

Overall, it shows that the unsolicited sending of sexual images is not just an individual problem, but a widespread social issue that needs to be regulated all the more urgently. The prospect of a changing legal environment could well represent a major shift in how we deal with digital harassment. With the new law, Austria will take a decisive step towards protecting personal privacy in the digital world.