The Government also announced that it would continue to hold platforms accountable for hosting such harmful content, with the Online Safety Act and further measures to crack down on intimate image abuse…reports Asian Lite News
The UK Government has announced a new set of laws that will make the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images a criminal offence. The move is part of the Government’s ongoing effort to protect women and girls from online harm, with perpetrators facing up to two years behind bars for violating the new laws.
As part of the proposed changes, new offences will criminalise the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment designed to facilitate such actions. This is in response to a growing issue, particularly among women and girls, where these hyper-realistic images are being created and shared without consent, causing significant harm.
“It’s unacceptable that one in three women have been victims of online abuse. This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalised,” said Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones. “These new offences will help prevent people from being victimised online. We are putting offenders on notice – they will face the full force of the law.”
While existing laws already criminalise sharing intimate images without consent, the Government’s new legislation will close gaps in the law. It will now be a criminal offence to take or install equipment to create intimate images without consent, subject to a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
The new legislation follows recommendations made by the Law Commission on intimate images and delivers on the Government’s manifesto commitment to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes. The reforms are part of the broader “Plan for Change,” aimed at tackling violence against women and girls, addressing the growing prevalence of intimate image abuse, and sending a clear message to tech companies and offenders alike.
Baroness Jones, Technology Minister, emphasised that this legislation is a major step in tackling the toxic online culture that perpetuates this abuse. “Tech companies need to step up too. Platforms hosting this content will face tougher scrutiny and significant penalties,” she stated.
Campaigner and presenter Jess Davies also welcomed the new laws, calling intimate-image abuse a “national emergency.” She said, “Women should not have to accept sexual harassment and abuse as a normal part of their online lives. We need urgent action and legislation to better protect women and girls.”
The Government also announced that it would continue to hold platforms accountable for hosting such harmful content, with the Online Safety Act and further measures to crack down on intimate image abuse.
The new offences will be introduced in the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill when parliamentary time allows, with additional details to follow. The move signals the UK Government’s commitment to making online spaces safer for all citizens, particularly vulnerable women and girls.
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