London – The UK government is set to criminalize the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images, marking a significant step in combating online abuse. Those who produce or distribute these images, or install equipment for this purpose, could face up to two years in prison under new offenses.
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones stated that offenders will face the full force of the law. While welcomed, the announcement lacks specifics on the timeline and details of the new legislation, which will be crucial to the law's effectiveness.
Deepfakes, images generated or manipulated by artificial intelligence, have become increasingly prevalent, often containing explicit content. This new legislation targets both the creation and distribution of such material, building upon existing offenses aimed at preventing the sharing of intimate images, including deepfakes, which were introduced in 2023.
The initiative aims to streamline existing laws, perceived by some as a patchwork. The government's stated goal is to address online violence against women, which has impacted a substantial portion of the population.
Advocates for stricter measures hailed the announcement as a positive step, but cautioned about the need for a clear implementation timeline and detailed legal provisions. Rebecca Hitchen of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), while acknowledging the announcement, stressed the importance of specific details regarding the law's scope and application to ensure the protection of victims. She emphasized the critical need for the legislation to be based on consent, and encompass solicitations for deepfake creation, in order to be truly impactful.
This new measure signifies a proactive approach to combating the rising issue of deepfake abuse, prioritizing the protection of individuals from online harassment.
