From September: Unrestrained sending of Dickpics will be punishable!

From September: Unrestrained sending of Dickpics will be punishable!

From September 1, 2025, the unsolicited sending of so -called "Dickpics" in Austria will be punishable. This new law, which was decided in July 2025, aims to counteract sexual harassment and includes both male and female genital organs. The punishment for sending such pictures can be up to six months of imprisonment or a fine of up to 360 daily rates. What begins as a personal problem is now treated as a criminal offense by the legal regulation. 5min reports that this regulation applies regardless of the platform, through which the images are sent.

A current study shows alarming data: Almost every third woman in Austria has already received "Dickpics" without being asked. The proportion is particularly high for young women in generation Z, where even 68% have had this experience. The emotional reactions to such images vary, 70% of the women surveyed perceive the unadorned sending as very problematic, and many report disgust, anger or shock. Prima magazine describes that 58% of women also demand the immediate exclusion of users who send intimate images without being asked.

Social relevance and support for the new regulation

The National Council voted with an overwhelming majority for the law, which punishes the unsolicited shipping of intimate images. Justice Minister Anna Sporrer emphasizes the severe digital sexual harassment. The regulation was supported by the parties SPÖ and ÖVP, which are against the supposed freedom of legal freedom in digital spaces. In the meantime, freedoms criticize the regulation as exaggerated. The law extends the criminal offense of sexual harassment and will come into force on September 1, 2025. Parlament.gv.at Also emphasizes that this law is part of a more comprehensive political commitment to protect against sexual harassment.

Society is increasingly sensitive to digital harassment. According to the study, 67% of women who received Dickpics blocked the sender, while around 40% reported the message or profile. Many women actively take measures to protect themselves: 51% use the blocking and registration functions on the platforms. Older users tend to delete uncomfortable content unanswered, while younger women often rely on digital countermeasures.

Overall, it turns out that the unusual sending of sexual images is not only an individual problem, but is a widespread social issue that has to be regulated all the more urgent. The prospect of a changed legal environment could certainly be an important turn in dealing with digital harassment. With the new law, Austria will take a decisive step towards protecting the personal privacy in the digital world.