Malicious predators who create sexually explicit deepfakes
without consent can expect to face the full force of the law
under a new amendment to legislation.
- New offence to be introduced as part of Data (Use and Access)
Bill
- Law targets artificial images showing someone naked or
engaging in sexual acts
- Move is latest step in mission to halve violence against
women and girls
The measure, which was announced earlier this month, has been
tabled by the Government as an amendment to the Data (Use and
Access) Bill currently before Parliament, to ensure the new law
is on the statute book as quickly as possible.
The new offence will target heinous abusers who create these
artificial images either for sexual gratification or to cause
alarm, distress, or humiliation. Those found guilty face an
unlimited fine.
Justice Minister KC said:
Sexually explicit images created without consent constitute a
fundamental violation of women's autonomy and
dignity.
As part of its Plan for Change, this Government is determined to
clamp down on this degrading and chauvinistic behaviour.
The new offence has been carefully designed to apply to new
developments in technology and to provide the best protection to
victims. It will apply to ‘purported sexual images,' including
those appearing to show someone naked or engaged in a sexual
act.
This builds on existing legislation which outlaws sharing or
threatening to share intimate images, including deepfakes,
without consent.
The Government also earlier this month committed to create new
offences for the taking of intimate images without consent and
the installation of equipment with intent to commit these
offences, sending a clear message that those who commit intimate
image abuse will face the full force of the law.
In September 2024 sharing intimate image offences were made
priority offences under the Online Safety Act. This ensures
platforms are responsible for finding and removing this type of
content - or face enforcement action from Ofcom.
Further information:
- The Data (Use and Access) Bill is currently before
Parliament, with the second day of Report in the House of Lords
scheduled for 28 January
- The Government has tabled an amendment that will criminalise
intentionally creating a sexually explicit deepfake without
consent, and either with intent to cause alarm, humiliation, or
distress, or for the purpose of sexual gratification and without
reasonable belief in consent
- It is already an offence to share or threaten to share
intimate images, including deepfakes, under the Sexual Offences
Act 2003, following amendments that were made by the Online
Safety Act 2023
- The new offences to create new offences for the taking of
intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment
with intent to commit these offences will be included in the
Government's Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced
when parliamentary time allows
