UK Targets Deepfake Creation with New Criminal Offense Legislation
The UK is criminalizing the creation of sexually explicit deepfake content, closing legal gaps to combat online abuse, particularly against women.
The UK government is intensifying its stance against deepfake technology by proposing a new law that criminalizes the act of creating sexually explicit deepfake content. This move, announced by the Ministry of Justice, aims to close a critical gap in existing legislation and protect victims of online abuse.
What Are Deepfakes?
Deepfakes are digitally manipulated media—often videos or audio—crafted using artificial intelligence to make it appear as though someone is saying or doing something they haven’t. While the UK’s Online Safety Act, enacted last year, already prohibits sharing or threatening to share sexually explicit deepfake content, it didn’t address the act of creating such material. The latest proposal seeks to make the legal framework more comprehensive, holding creators accountable regardless of their involvement in subsequent dissemination.
A Renewed Government Focus
The push to criminalize deepfake creation follows a pledge by the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to tackle deepfakes more robustly. This comes after Starmer himself became a victim of a deepfake smear campaign, where an AI-generated video falsely portrayed him promoting an investment scheme.
The previous Conservative government had outlined similar plans, but Labour’s manifesto solidified its commitment to curbing this form of digital abuse. The forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill will incorporate these changes, though no definitive timeline has been provided.
The US Lags Behind
While the UK moves toward comprehensive legislation, the United States has yet to enact federal laws targeting deepfakes. Several states, including California, have introduced bills to regulate the technology, but progress remains uneven. In a controversial twist, Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is suing California to block the implementation of a law aimed at combating deepfakes.
Tackling Online Abuse Against Women
The UK government’s announcement underscores the disproportionate impact of sexually explicit deepfakes on women. According to Parliamentary Under-Secretary Alex Davies-Jones, the issue is part of a broader pattern of online abuse, with one in three women reportedly affected.
“This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalized,” Davies-Jones stated. “As part of our Plan for Change, we are bearing down on violence against women—whatever form it takes.”
Strengthening Intimate Image Protections
In addition to addressing deepfakes, the government plans to broaden laws related to non-consensual intimate image-taking. Existing regulations, which focus on acts like upskirting, will be expanded to cover cases involving hidden cameras or similar equipment used to capture intimate images. Perpetrators could face up to two years in prison under the revised legislation.
The Road Ahead
Although specific timelines for these legal changes remain unclear, the government confirmed its intention to include these provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced “when parliamentary time allows.”
As technology evolves, so too must the legal measures designed to protect individuals from exploitation. The UK’s proactive approach signals a critical step toward safeguarding personal dignity in the digital age.
(Disclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.)
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