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Individuals who create sexually explicit ‘deepfake’ images using technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) could face prosecution under new government plans.
Deepfakes are images, video or audio that have been edited or generated using AI tools and which are a realistic portrayal of someone. For example, an image of someone wearing a bikini on a beach could be altered to make the subject appear naked, or a genuine naked image could be edited to have someone else’s face.
While it is already illegal to create such images of children, the law is being expanded to include those over 18 years of age.
The move comes after such images have proliferated in recent times, with women and girls usually the primary targets. Deepfakes cause immense harm to victims and their hyper realistic nature makes them extremely difficult to spot.
Under the new changes, anyone who creates or shares a deepfake could be charged with a criminal offence, although the penalties for doing so have not yet been outlined. Furthermore, anyone who takes an intimate image without the subject’s consent faces up to two years behind bars, while those who install equipment so that they, or someone else, can take intimate images without consent also face up to two years in prison.
“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.”
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones.
‘Crucial that the law keeps up with technology’
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s (APCC’s) Joint Leads for Victims welcomed the government’s announcement.
Responding to the Ministry of Justice announcement, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s (APCC’s) Joint Leads for Victims, Lisa Townsend and Clare Moody, said:
“We have seen a proliferation of hyper-realistic sexually explicit ‘deepfake’ images created using AI and shared to cause humiliation, distress and alarm to victims. It is crucial that the law keeps up with technology, and these offences will help tackle new methods perpetrators are using to target their victims.
“The scale of sexual offending against women and girls is vast and it is vital we do all we can to confront and combat it, whilst supporting those who become victims. PCCs are committed to providing high quality services that help victims and survivors who need care and support, but we are clear that society as a whole has to recognise the need to tackle a culture that enables violence against women and girls, to make it unacceptable, and to punish those who abuse women whether online or in real life.”
Lisa Townsend and Clare Moody, APCC’s Joint Leads for Victims.
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