Introduction
The UK government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is taking decisive action to combat the rise of sexually explicit deepfake images, particularly those affecting women and girls [1]. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen protections against online abuse and will be incorporated into the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill.
Description
The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer [5], is set to criminalize the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images in response to a significant rise in cases [1], particularly affecting women and girls [1]. This initiative is part of a comprehensive effort to enhance protections against online abuse and will be included in the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill. The legislation follows an earlier announcement in April 2024 aimed at addressing non-consensual sexually explicit deepfakes [2], which have been linked to a 400% increase in image-based abuse since 2017, according to data from the Revenge Porn Helpline. Offenders could face penalties of up to two years in prison for creating or sharing these images without consent.
In addition to the new offense, existing laws will be updated to impose similar penalties for taking intimate images without consent and for installing equipment to facilitate such offenses [5]. The government recognizes existing gaps in the law [3], as current regulations only make it illegal to share or threaten to share intimate images, including deepfakes [1] [3] [4], under specific circumstances [3]. Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones emphasized the unacceptability of online abuse [4] [5], noting that one in three women in the UK have experienced intimate image abuse [3]. The proposed legal changes aim to provide law enforcement with a robust framework to address non-consensual intimate image abuse and prevent further victimization [5].
The initiative also includes plans for increased scrutiny and penalties for tech companies that host such content [5], reinforcing the message that creating or sharing these images is criminal behavior [5]. This follows the enactment of the Online Safety Act on January 31, 2024, which addressed intimate image abuse and established a base offense for sharing intimate images without consent [2], as well as introducing a new offense of cyberflashing that encompasses sexually explicit deepfakes [2]. However, experts express skepticism about the effectiveness of the proposed law in deterring offenders [4]. Jake Moore [4], a global cybersecurity advisor at ESET [4], pointed out that the rapid advancement of deepfake technology presents challenges for law enforcement [4], as identifying the creators of deepfakes can be difficult. He noted that many unethical AI services operate under the radar [4], often on the dark web or through encrypted communication channels [4], complicating efforts to combat this issue effectively.
Conclusion
The UK government’s initiative to criminalize the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images marks a significant step in addressing online abuse [1]. By updating existing laws and imposing stricter penalties, the government aims to close legal gaps and provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to combat this growing issue. However, the rapid evolution of deepfake technology and the clandestine nature of its distribution pose ongoing challenges. Continued vigilance and adaptation of legal frameworks will be essential to effectively mitigate the impact of deepfakes and protect potential victims in the future.
References
[1] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3217241-britain-to-criminalize-sexually-explicit-deepfakes-amid-rising-concerns
[2] https://www.medianama.com/2025/01/223-uk-moves-to-criminalize-deepfakes-creation-with-two-year-jail-term-for-the-offense/
[3] https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/uk-plans-to-make-sexually-explicit-deepfakes-a-criminal-offence-7420528
[4] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/uk-government-ban-creation/
[5] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/uk-sexually-explicit-deepfakes-criminal-offense-1236102917/
