- Creating sexually explicit 'deepfake' images becomes a new crime
- Those found guilty of this immoral crime will be prosecuted and face unlimited fines.
- Latest steps in a major action plan to better protect women
Under the new charges, those who create these horrific images without their consent will face criminal records and unlimited fines. If the image is shared more widely, the offender could be sent to prison.
The new law means that if someone creates a sexually explicit deepfake, they can commit a crime, even if they have no intention of sharing it and simply want to cause fear, humiliation or pain to the victim. It means to become.
It also enhances existing offenses, as if a person creates this type of image and shares it, the CPS will charge them with two offences, which could result in heavier sentences.
Deepfake images have become increasingly popular in recent years, with images being viewed millions of times a month around the world. Fake images and videos are made to appear very realistic, as victims are usually unaware and unable to consent to being sexualized in such a way.
Today's announcement is the latest step in a major program of work aimed at tackling this emerging and most devastating form of abuse against women and girls.
Last year, changes to the Online Safety Act criminalized the sharing of intimate “deepfakes” images for the first time. This new offense, introduced by amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill, means anyone who maliciously creates sexually explicit deepfake images of adults without their consent will face the consequences of their actions. do.
Laura Farris, Minister for Victims and Protection, said:
The creation of deepfake sexual images is vile and completely unacceptable, regardless of whether the images are shared or not.
This is another example of certain people trying to degrade and dehumanize others, especially women. And if that material is shared more widely, it can have devastating consequences. This government will not tolerate that.
This new crime sends a clear message that producing this material is immoral, often misogynistic, and criminal.
This government has made it a priority to better protect women from physical, psychological and online abuse through legal reforms.
As part of the Criminal Justice Bill that continues to make its way through Parliament, the Government will also introduce a series of measures to punish those who take or record intimate images without their consent, or who install equipment that allows them to do so. is attempting to create a new criminal offense.
These changes to the Criminal Justice Bill will build on the existing 'upskirt' offense and make it a criminal offence.
- Intentionally taking or recording intimate images or films without consent or reasonable belief that there is consent;
- Taking or recording intimate images or films without consent
- Intended to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation.or
- for sexual gratification
The government also reclassified violence against women and girls as a national threat. This means police must prioritize responding to violence as well as threats such as terrorism, as well as continuing to tackle image-based abuse.
In March, the first person was found guilty of new cyberflash charges brought into force in January under the Online Safety Act.
Nicholas Hawkes, who was 39 at the time of his sentencing, was sentenced to more than a year in prison after sending images of his genitals to a 15-year-old girl and a woman.
Campaigner and former Love Island contestant Carrie Jane Beech said:
This new crime is a major step toward further tightening deepfake laws to better protect women.
What I endured was more than embarrassment and inconvenience. Too many women continue to have their privacy, dignity, and identity violated by these malicious actors, and this must stop. People who do this need to be held accountable.
Deborah Joseph, European editorial director at GLAMOR, said:
Glamor welcomes the Ministry of Justice's plans to table amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill that should put women's safety online at the heart of this debate.
A recent GLAMOR survey found that 91% of readers believe deepfake technology poses a threat to women's safety. We also know how serious the impact can be through hearing personal stories from victims.
While this is an important first step, there is still a long way to go before women feel truly safe from this horrific activity.
In 2022, the 2003 Sexual Offenses Act was revised to include non-consensual breastfeeding images as a crime of voyeurism.
Scumbags who murder their partners during sexual assault will be jailed longer as part of a wider government drive to protect women and girls. New statutory aggravating factors will be introduced for offenders who cause death through abusive, degrading or dangerous sexual behavior, so-called 'rough sex'.
New legal aggravating factors for bitter ex-partners who commit murder at the end of a relationship are also included in the Criminal Justice Bill as part of reforms following recommendations in the Claire Wade KC Domestic Murder Sentencing Review.
Note to editor
- This violation also applies to images of adults. This is because if the image is of a child (under 18), this activity is already covered by law.
- The Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review was commissioned in 2021 to consider whether the sentencing framework should be reformed to better reflect the seriousness of domestic homicide and identify options for improvement.
- The consultation on the murder sentence lasted 14 weeks and concluded on 4 March 2024. The government's response is expected to be published in due course.
