The UK government is preparing to criminalize the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images.
What Happened: The proposed law will prosecute and fine individuals found guilty of creating such deepfakes without consent, irrespective of their intent to share the images. Distributing the images could lead to imprisonment, reported Bloomberg.
The Ministry of Justice attributes the rise of deepfake images and videos to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. The UK has classified violence against women and girls as a national threat, prompting police to prioritize its prevention. This new law forms part of the efforts to curb practices that are increasingly being used to humiliate or distress victims.
The Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris, stated, “This new offence sends a crystal clear message that making this material is immoral, often misogynistic, and a crime.”
The government is also introducing new criminal offenses for individuals who take or record real intimate images without consent, or install equipment to enable someone to do so.
An additional statutory aggravating factor will be introduced for offenders who cause death through abusive, degrading or dangerous sexual behavior.
Why It Matters: The misuse of deepfake technology has been a growing concern worldwide. In February, a corporate scam involving deepfake technology led to the theft of $25 million. The same month, Meta Platforms was urged to revise its deepfake rules after a controversial video of President Joe Biden was deemed not to breach the company’s current regulations.
In March, the rise of deepfake videos in Asia raised alarms over potential election interference. Earlier in the year, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, expressed concerns over AI-generated explicit images of pop star Taylor Swift, describing the situation as “alarming and terrible”.
The UK’s move to criminalize the creation of intimate deepfake images is a significant step in addressing the misuse of this technology.
Image Via Shutterstock
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