AI-generated obscene 'deepfakes' will be a criminal offence in Britain
Agencies
07/01/2025
The Ministry of Justice stressed that there is no reason to create an obscene deepfake against someone without their consent. - Reuters file photo
LONDON: The British government has announced that the production and dissemination of obscene deepfakes will be a criminal offence.
The introduction of the law is an effort by the authorities to address the increasing spread of such images, which mostly target women and girls.
"A "deepfake" is a video, picture, or audio clip that is produced using artificial intelligence (AI) to appear to be real. This technology is often abused to manipulate pornographic images to resemble someone without their consent.
In 2015, Britain classified the publication of intimate photos or videos without consent and the purpose of causing emotional distress known as "revenge porn" as a criminal act.
However, the law does not cover fake images.
Data from an organisation that tackles the problem of pornography in the United Kingdom shows that the abuse of deepfake images has increased by more than 400 per cent since 2017.
Under these new offences, the government will enable prosecution of individuals who produce and disseminate such images.
"There is no reason to create an obscene deepfake against someone without their permission," the Ministry of Justice said in a statement.
The previous Conservative government had proposed a similar move before losing power to the Labour party in July.
In the proposal, offenders could be fined or jailed.
The Ministry of Justice also said that further information on this offence will be announced later.
In addition, the government plans to introduce new laws to convict those who take intimate photos without consent as well as the installation of equipment with the intention of committing the offence.
Offenders who do so can be sentenced to up to two years in jail.
"This kind of heinous and degrading act cannot be normalised," said Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones.
Technology Minister Margaret Jones also warned that technology platforms that open the door to the dissemination of abusive images will be subject to stricter controls as well as heavy fines.
"Intimate image abuse is a national emergency that causes long-term damage to women and girls, who lose control of their digital identities due to online misogyny," said activist Jess Davies.
The new offence will be included in the government's Crime and Policing Bill which will be brought to Parliament, although an implementation date has not yet been set. - Reuters
