Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones has announced a robust crackdown on sexually explicit deepfake images, with the practice set to become a criminal offence. Perpetrators could face the “full force of the law” as new measures aim to address the harmful spread of these AI-generated images and other forms of intimate image abuse.
New offences and tougher penalties
The Government plans to criminalise the creation and sharing of deepfake images, which use artificial intelligence to generate or edit explicit content featuring real individuals. Those who take intimate images of others without their consent or install equipment to capture such images could face up to two years in prison under the new offences.
Ms Davies-Jones described the measures as part of a broader effort to tackle online abuse, particularly violence against women. She stated:
“It is unacceptable that one in three women have been victims of online abuse. This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalised. As part of our Plan for Change, we are bearing down on violence against women – whatever form it takes. These new offences will help prevent people being victimised online. Offenders will face the full force of the law.”
Growing threat of deepfake technology
The use of deepfake technology has risen sharply in recent years, with explicit images often shared without the knowledge or consent of the individuals depicted. This growing threat has led to widespread calls for stronger legal protections, especially as existing laws have been criticised as inadequate and fragmented.
The new deepfake offence builds on legislation introduced in 2023 aimed at tackling the sharing of intimate images. The Government’s latest plans will also simplify existing laws, which the Law Commission has described as a “patchwork.”
Campaigners welcome the plans
The announcement has been met with cautious optimism by campaigners and survivors of online abuse. Broadcaster Jess Davies, who has actively raised awareness about the harm caused by deepfakes, described intimate-image abuse as 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 from the mammoth scale of misogyny they are experiencing online.”
The End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) also welcomed the plans but urged the Government to act swiftly.
Rebecca Hitchen, head of policy and campaigns at EVAW, said:
“While we welcome this announcement, we are yet to see a timeline for the offence or any details about the new law, which will be crucial to how effective it is.
“The Government must make good on its commitments to survivors – delaying action will only put women and girls in harm’s way.
“We await confirmation that any new law criminalising the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes will be based on consent rather than the perpetrator’s intent, cover solicitation of image creation (as well as the creation itself), and be listed as a priority offence in the Online Safety Act.”
The need for swift action
Campaigners stress the urgency of implementing the new measures to protect victims and deter offenders. The harm caused by deepfakes and intimate-image abuse can be profound and long-lasting, with survivors often facing emotional distress, reputational damage, and a loss of control over their digital presence.
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The Government’s announcement comes as part of a broader push to address violence against women and girls, particularly in the digital sphere. It also reflects growing recognition of the need to modernise laws to keep pace with emerging technologies and the unique challenges they present.
Next steps
While the measures signal a significant step forward, campaigners and legal experts will closely monitor the Government’s next moves. Ensuring that the legislation is comprehensive, victim-focused, and enforceable will be key to its success.
The introduction of these offences will likely involve further consultation and debate in Parliament, with campaigners advocating for a focus on consent rather than intent and for the inclusion of deepfake-related offences in the Online Safety Act.
As the Government moves to finalise these plans, it is clear that the fight against deepfake and intimate-image abuse is far from over. However, with stronger laws and a commitment to tackling online violence, this announcement represents a vital step towards safeguarding women and girls in the digital age.
