The creation of sexually explicit deepfake content is set to become a criminal offense in England and Wales, reflecting growing concerns over the exploitation and harassment of women through artificial intelligence. Under a proposed law, individuals who create deepfake images or videos of another adult without their consent, even if they do not intend to share them, could face criminal charges and hefty fines.
Deepfakes, which involve manipulating images or videos using AI to depict someone engaging in activities they have not actually done, have raised significant alarm due to their potential for abuse and harm. The UK Ministry of Justice announced the draft law on Tuesday, indicating that England and Wales would likely be the first jurisdictions globally to criminalize the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes.
The proposed legislation covers a range of sexually explicit content, including pornographic images and nude deepfakes, regardless of whether the subject is depicted engaging in erotic behavior. While this law applies specifically to adults, existing laws in England and Wales already prohibit the creation of deepfake sexual images involving minors.
The move comes as part of broader efforts to address the harmful impact of deepfake technology, particularly its use to degrade and dehumanize individuals, particularly women. The circulation of deepfake pornographic images, including those involving high-profile figures like Taylor Swift, has highlighted the urgent need for legal measures to combat this form of online harassment.
Other jurisdictions, including the United States and the European Union, are also considering legislation to address the issue of deepfake pornography. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has pledged to review its policies on deepfake pornography following incidents involving explicit AI-generated images of female public figures circulating on its platforms.
Overall, the proposed law in England and Wales represents a significant step towards holding perpetrators of deepfake pornography accountable and safeguarding individuals from online exploitation and harassment.
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