UK government bans creation of deepfake images without consent | Global News

The British government is cracking down on despicable individuals who create sexually explicit deepfakes, with a new law that will prosecute offenders for their malicious actions. Deepfakes are hyper-realistic images and videos created without the victim’s consent, often used to degrade and dehumanize individuals, especially women.

Laura Farris, UK Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, condemned the creation of deepfake sexual images as completely unacceptable and immoral. The new offence, which will be introduced through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, will criminalize the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images of adults without consent. Offenders could face a criminal record, an unlimited fine, or even jail time.

Last year, the UK’s Online Safety Act criminalized the sharing of deepfake intimate images for the first time. The new offence is part of a series of reforms aimed at punishing those who engage in abusive and dangerous sexual behavior, including the installation of equipment to record intimate images without consent.

The government has also re-classified violence against women and girls as a national threat, requiring the police to prioritize their response to such cases. Additionally, the Bill includes new statutory aggravating factors for offenders who cause death through abusive sexual behavior or for bitter former partners who commit murder at the end of a relationship.

Overall, these reforms aim to protect individuals from the harmful effects of deepfake content and hold offenders accountable for their actions.