Issued by: Ministry of Justice

Malicious predators who create sexually explicit deepfakes without consent can expect to face the full force of the law under a new amendment to legislation.

- New offence to be introduced as part of Data (Use and Access) Bill

- Law targets artificial images showing someone naked or engaging in sexual acts

- Move is latest step in mission to halve violence against women and girls

The measure, which was announced earlier this month, has been tabled by the Government as an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill currently before Parliament, to ensure the new law is on the statute book as quickly as possible.

The new offence will target heinous abusers who create these artificial images either for sexual gratification or to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation. Those found guilty face an unlimited fine.

Justice Minister Sarah Sackman KC said:

"Sexually explicit images created without consent constitute a fundamental violation of women’s autonomy and dignity.

"As part of its Plan for Change, this Government is determined to clamp down on this degrading and chauvinistic behaviour."

The new offence has been carefully designed to apply to new developments in technology and to provide the best protection to victims. It will apply to ‘purported sexual images,’ including those appearing to show someone naked or engaged in a sexual act.

This builds on existing legislation which outlaws sharing or threatening to share intimate images, including deepfakes, without consent.

The Government also earlier this month committed to create new offences for the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment with intent to commit these offences, sending a clear message that those who commit intimate image abuse will face the full force of the law.

In September 2024 sharing intimate image offences were made priority offences under the Online Safety Act. This ensures platforms are responsible for finding and removing this type of content - or face enforcement action from Ofcom.

Further information:

- The Data (Use and Access) Bill is currently before Parliament, with the second day of Report in the House of Lords scheduled for 28 January

- The Government has tabled an amendment that will criminalise intentionally creating a sexually explicit deepfake without consent, and either with intent to cause alarm, humiliation, or distress, or for the purpose of sexual gratification and without reasonable belief in consent

- It is already an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images, including deepfakes, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, following amendments that were made by the Online Safety Act 2023

- The new offences to create new offences for the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment with intent to commit these offences will be included in the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced when parliamentary time allows

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