Government Faces Criticism for Delaying Ban on Deepfake Abuse

Baroness Owen's proposed bill to criminalize non-consensual creation of intimate deepfake images is rejected, as ministers promise future legislation.

• Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge introduced a bill to criminalize the creation and solicitation of intimate deepfake images without consent, citing it as a growing form of violence against women.
• The proposed legislation would impose penalties of fines or up to six months in prison and allow courts to order the deletion of offending images.
• The government declined to support the bill, pledging instead to introduce its own legislation addressing the issue next year, which critics argue delays urgently needed protections.
• Deepfake abuse disproportionately targets women, with 99% of explicit deepfake content involving women and survivors reporting significant trauma and distress.
• Peers and advocates stress the urgency of addressing the rapid proliferation of deepfake abuse, warning that current laws are outdated and insufficient to protect victims.

3 Articles

Evening Standard The Independent The Independent