UK Government to Ban the Creation of Sexual Deepfakes: Comprehensive Legislation Underway
The UK government is set to introduce legislation banning the creation of sexual deepfakes in a move to address the growing threat of image-based abuse. Deepfake technology, which artificially maps a real person’s likeness onto explicit images or videos without consent, has become a significant concern, particularly for women.
Why the Ban is Necessary
Deepfake abuse overwhelmingly targets women, with a shocking 99% of victims being female. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson highlighted the severity of the issue:
“Sexually explicit deepfakes are degrading, harmful, and, more often than not, misogynistic. We refuse to tolerate the violence against women and girls that stains our society, which is why we’re looking at options to ban their creation as quickly as possible.”
A GLAMOUR survey of over 3,000 participants revealed that 91% believe deepfake technology poses a significant threat to women’s safety.
The Push for Comprehensive Legislation
While the Online Safety Act criminalizes the sharing of non-consensual digital forgeries, it doesn’t address their creation. Advocacy groups, including GLAMOUR, have been campaigning for a broader Image-Based Abuse Law.
Key demands include:
Criminalizing the creation and solicitation of sexual digital forgeries.
Forced deletion of abusive content.
Language updates to address evolving AI technology.
A consent-based approach to shift the burden of proof from survivors.
Survivor Jodie*, who partnered with GLAMOUR to raise awareness, shared:
“Legislation must leave no gaps. We need justice, support, and safety for victims through robust laws, preventive education, and increased funding for specialist services.”
Professor Clare McGlynn, a leading voice in online safety, emphasized:
“We must focus on the harms to victims, not the motives of perpetrators. Any new law must be comprehensive and consent-based to ensure all abusive images are covered.”
Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge, the youngest member of the House of Lords, has also tabled a private members bill targeting the creation and solicitation of deepfakes. She described the issue as:
“The new frontier of violence against women…created in seconds with easily downloadable nudification apps or platforms.”
The Road Ahead
The proposed legislation is expected to address critical gaps in the current legal framework, providing stronger protections for victims of deepfake abuse. While banning the creation of these forgeries is a vital step, advocates stress the importance of holistic measures, including civil laws, education, and support services.
As the government moves to implement these changes, survivors and campaigners hope for a future where justice, safety, and respect are guaranteed.