The United Kingdom (UK) is set to criminalise the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes under a new law, according to the Ministry of Justice.
A deepfake is an image or a video depicting a digitally altered individual. Created using generative artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes are largely being weaponised for political gains around the world, especially in election campaigns.
However, the technology is also deployed for other malicious purposes, including the creation of celebrity porn and images depicting individuals in states of intimacy and nudity to target and extort money from them.
The development was announced Wednesday for England and Wales by the justice ministry. In a statement published on the ministry’s website, the new legislation will target “despicable people” who create deepfakes that are sexually explicit.
“Under the new offence, those who create these horrific images without consent face a criminal record and an unlimited fine,” reads the statement. “If the image is then shared more widely offenders could be sent to jail.”
In 2023, the UK penalised the sharing of deepfake intimate imagery under the Online Safety Act, which is particularly known for introducing stricter measures for Big Tech companies to protect children. It was the first time deepfakes were made a criminal offence under law.
The new offence will be introduced through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, according to the government. “The creation of deepfake sexual images is despicable and completely unacceptable irrespective of whether the image is shared,” says UK’s Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris.
The law will apply to adults only, as the UK already criminalises the creation of deepfakes depicting sexual exploitation of children.
