The UK government is taking bold steps to combat the growing threat of non-consensual deepfakes. Under proposed legislation, creating sexually explicit deepfake images or videos will become a criminal offense, alongside the existing laws against sharing them. Perpetrators could face up to two years in prison if convicted.
This move addresses a significant loophole in the current law, which only penalizes those who share explicit deepfake content. The new measures aim to hold accountable those responsible for creating this harmful material in the first place.
A Crackdown on Digital Exploitation
The proposed offenses will be introduced as part of the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which aims to address various forms of online abuse, particularly those targeting women and girls. Baroness Margaret Beryl Jones, Minister for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety, emphasized the importance of this step:
“Creating or sharing these vile images is not only unacceptable but criminal. Tech companies must also step up — platforms hosting this content will face tougher scrutiny and significant penalties.”
The UK government is also introducing new laws to criminalize taking intimate images without consent and installing equipment, such as hidden cameras, to facilitate such crimes. These measures form part of a broader effort to tackle intimate image abuse, with maximum sentences of two years in prison for offenders.
Closing Legal Gaps
In April 2024, the previous government under then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak proposed similar measures. However, the legislation stalled due to a general election. A key flaw in the earlier proposal was its limited scope, which only penalized deepfake creators if they acted to “cause alarm, humiliation, or distress.” The new legislation closes this loophole, ensuring that creating a sexually explicit deepfake without consent is punishable under any circumstances.
Additionally, these offenses will only apply to adults, as creating or sharing sexually explicit content involving minors is already illegal under existing laws.
Protecting Women and Girls Online
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones highlighted the alarming statistics of online abuse, stating that one in three women has faced some form of harassment online.
“This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalized. As part of our Plan for Change, we are bearing down on violence against women, whatever form it takes.”
Campaigner and presenter Jess Davies added that the widespread availability of intimate image abuse has caused long-lasting harm to women, calling it a “national emergency.” She urged the government to take urgent action against online misogyny.
Holding Tech Companies Accountable
As part of its broader effort to combat intimate image abuse, the UK government has placed additional responsibilities on tech companies. Under the Online Safety Act 2024, sharing intimate images became a priority offense, requiring platforms to remove such content swiftly or face enforcement action from Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator.
The government’s push for stricter regulations sends a strong message that online abuse will not be tolerated. These measures represent a crucial step toward creating safer digital spaces for everyone.
What Happens Next?
The new offenses will be officially introduced in parliament when time allows, and further details will be announced in due course. The UK government hopes this crackdown on explicit deepfakes and intimate image abuse will deter predators and provide victims with the justice they deserve.
Stay tuned for updates on this legislation as it progresses through parliament.
