Predators who create sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ could face prosecution as the Government bears down on vile online abuse.
The UK Government has announced a major crackdown on the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfakes, signalling a stronger commitment to protecting victims from online abuse and ensuring that perpetrators face severe legal consequences.
Perpetrators could face up to two years behind bars under new offences for taking an intimate image without consent and installing equipment to enable these offences
As part of its broader mission to tackle digital violence, the Government has introduced new legislation that makes it clear there is no place for the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes without consent.
Deepfake technology, which uses artificial intelligence to create hyper-realistic videos and images, has gained significant traction in recent years. While it has potential in areas like entertainment, its darker applications have led to serious concerns. One particularly disturbing use is the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes, where individuals’ faces are digitally superimposed onto pornographic images or videos without their consent. The victims, often women and girls, are subjected to immense emotional distress, harassment, and reputational damage.
In addition to targeting deepfakes, the Government is also addressing the broader issue of intimate image abuse by introducing new offences related to the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment with the intent to take such images. These measures aim to tackle non-consensual intimate image abuse from all angles, ensuring that offenders face the full force of the law.
Currently, it is already a criminal offense to share or threaten to share intimate images without consent, but the new legislation takes it further. For the first time, individuals who take intimate images without consent will face up to two years in prison. This includes not just the act of taking or recording intimate images, but also the installation of equipment designed to enable this abuse.
The proliferation of these harmful images has been alarming, prompting the Government to take swift action to prevent further abuse and protect victims from exploitation.
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones said:
“It is unacceptable that one in three women have been victims of online abuse. This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalised, and as part of our Plan for Change we are bearing down on violence against women – whatever form it takes.”
“These new offences will help prevent people being victimised online. We are putting offenders on notice – they will face the full force of the law.”
Publishing intimate photos or videos without consent and with the intent to cause distress, known as revenge porn was criminalised in Britain in 2015, but that legislation does not cover the use of fake images.
The new offences will be included in the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced to parliament. A date is yet to be set.
