The creation and distribution of sexualized deepfakes will be a criminal offense in the UK, reports the Ministry of Justice on their website. Perpetrators may face deprivation of liberty for up to two years. These measures are part of the government’s strategy to combat online exploitation and protect women and girls.
The number of hyperrealistic deepfakes is growing at a threatening pace, causing serious harm to the victims, the department notes. To address this issue, authorities are introducing new criminal articles punishing both the creation and distribution of such images. The government emphasizes that such actions are unacceptable, and their authors will be punished.
Additionally, new laws will target hidden filming of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment for that purpose. This will enable law enforcement agencies to crack down on individuals who violate the privacy of citizens.
Minister for Crime Victims, Alex Davis-Jones, highlighted that one in three women has been subjected to online abuse. She stressed that this type of degrading behavior should not be normalized, and new laws will help prevent further cases of exploitation.
Until now, UK legislation has focused on punishing the distribution or threats to spread intimate images without consent, but the act of creating such materials was only punishable in certain circumstances, such as ‘upskirting.’ Now, any creation of intimate images without consent will carry a penalty of up to two years in prison.
Baroness Minister Jones pointed out that the non-consensual sharing of intimate images creates a toxic digital environment, particularly for women and girls who are more frequently targeted. She stated that the new measures send a clear message to society that the creation and distribution of such images is a criminal offense.
The campaign to combat this issue has garnered support from public activists. TV presenter and human rights activist Jess Davis described non-consensual intimate image sharing as a national problem that requires immediate action. She believes that women should not tolerate online harassment, and the new legislation will provide them with better protection against digital violence.
These initiatives are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to combat the illegal spread of intimate content. In September 2024, these crimes were prioritized as part of the Online Safety Bill, obligating platforms to remove prohibited content and take action against its distribution.
The new legislation will be included in the government bill on crime and law enforcement, which is set to be presented in parliament soon. A full list of the new norms will be published at a later date.