New Offence to Criminalise the Creation and Sharing of Sexually Explicit Deepfakes in Britain
Government Aims to Tackle Surge in Image-Based Abuse
London: The British government has announced plans to make creating and sharing sexually explicit "deepfakes" a criminal offence, in an effort to combat a significant increase in the proliferation of such images, predominantly targeting women and girls. These deepfakes are videos, pictures, or audio clips made with artificial intelligence to look real, and can be used to digitally alter pornographic images into the likeness of someone else.
Understanding Deepfakes
Deepfakes are a form of non-consensual pornography, which can cause significant distress and harm to those who are targeted. The technology used to create deepfakes can be used to digitally alter pornographic images into the likeness of someone else, without their consent.
Increase in Image-Based Abuse
According to data from the UK-based Revenge Porn Helpline, image-based abuse using deepfakes has increased by more than 400% since 2017. This surge in online abuse has led the government to take action to criminalise the creation and sharing of these images.
New Offence
The new offence will make it illegal to create and share deepfakes without the consent of the person depicted. Perpetrators could face charges and prosecution for both creating and sharing these images. The justice ministry has stated that "there is no excuse for creating a sexually explicit deepfake of someone without their consent."
Additional Measures
The government has also announced plans to introduce new offences for the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment with intent to commit these offences. Those found guilty could face up to two years behind bars.
Reactions and Campaigns
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones has stated that "this demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalised." Technology minister Margaret Jones has warned that tech platforms hosting abusive images will face tougher scrutiny and significant penalties. Campaigner Jess Davies has described intimate-image abuse as a "national emergency" that is causing significant, long-lasting harm to women and girls.
Conclusion
The new offences will be included in the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced to parliament at a yet-to-be-set date. The government’s efforts to criminalise the creation and sharing of deepfakes demonstrate a commitment to tackling the growing problem of online abuse and ensuring that those who are targeted by these images receive the support and protection they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a deepfake?
A: A deepfake is a video, picture, or audio clip made with artificial intelligence to look real, and can be used to digitally alter pornographic images into the likeness of someone else.
Q: Why is the creation and sharing of deepfakes a problem?
A: The creation and sharing of deepfakes can cause significant distress and harm to those who are targeted, and is a form of non-consensual pornography.
Q: What is being done to address the problem of deepfakes?
A: The British government has announced plans to make creating and sharing deepfakes a criminal offence, and has also introduced new offences for the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment with intent to commit these offences.
Q: What is the punishment for creating and sharing deepfakes?
A: Perpetrators could face charges and prosecution for both creating and sharing these images, and could be sentenced to up to two years behind bars.