UK to Criminalize Sexually Explicit Deepfakes Amid Rising Concerns

GBUnited Kingdom|

The UK government announced on January 7, 2025, that it will criminalize the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfakes. This decision comes as part of a broader initiative to combat the alarming rise in the misuse of such technology, primarily affecting women and girls. Deepfakes, which are AI-generated images, videos, or audio clips that distort reality, have been increasingly associated with image-based abuse.

According to the UK-based Revenge Porn Helpline, instances of deepfake-related abuse have surged by over 400% since 2017. The justice ministry emphasized that creating a sexually explicit deepfake without consent is inexcusable. Under the proposed legislation, individuals involved in producing or distributing these images could face prosecution and significant penalties.

Previously, the 2015 legislation against "revenge porn" did not encompass scenarios involving fake images. The new laws will also address the unauthorized taking of intimate images and the installation of recording devices with malicious intent, with offenders facing up to two years in prison.

Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones highlighted the seriousness of intimate-image abuse, calling it a national emergency that inflicts lasting harm on victims. The government's upcoming Crime and Policing Bill will include these new offences, with further details to be announced.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from United Kingdom

Rare Quadruple Supernova Predicted to Outshine the Moon in 23 Billion Years

Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a pair of white dwarf stars destined to produce a spectacular quadruple supernova that will shine ten times brighter than the moon. This significant event is projected to occur in approximately 23 billion years, far beyond humanity's timeline, according to a study published in *Nature Astronomy* on April 4. The binary system, designated WDJ181058.67+311940.94, is located just 150 light-years from Earth and has a combined mass of about 1.56 times that of the sun. The white dwarfs currently orbit each other every 14 hours, but this period will diminish drastically, culminating in explosive annihilation as they advance to within 1/60th of the Earth-Sun distance. Lead author James Munday remarked on the excitement of discovering such a high-mass system, while co-author Ingrid Pelisoli emphasized the importance of finding progenitors for type 1a supernovas near Earth. The upcoming explosions will enable astronomers to measure cosmic distances and understand the universe's expansion better. Despite the eventual explosion's magnitude, Earth would likely be unscathed if the event occurred today, as our planet is expected to be long gone due to the sun’s eventual demise.
GBUnited Kingdom

UK Watchdog Launches Investigation into Online Suicide Forum Linked to 97 Deaths

Britain's broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, has initiated an investigation into an online suicide forum suspected of being linked to nearly 100 deaths in the UK. According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), the forum is connected to 97 fatalities, with some sources, including the BBC, estimating that approximately 50 of these suicides can be directly tied to the site. Ofcom is examining whether the service provider failed to implement necessary safety measures to protect users from illegal content and activity. Although the specific website remains unnamed, it is reportedly hosted in the United States and serves tens of thousands of members, including minors. Users allegedly exchange methods and instructions related to suicide. This investigation is the first of its kind under the Online Safety Act of 2023, which mandates that service providers promptly remove illegal content once identified. If the provider does not comply with Ofcom's requests, the regulator may pursue court action to enforce content removal and potentially impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of worldwide revenue. Mental health advocates emphasize the urgency of shutting down the site to prevent further tragedies.
GBUnited Kingdom

Metropolitan Police Officer Charged with Multiple Sexual Offences

A Metropolitan Police officer, PC Dion Arnold, has been charged with several serious sexual offences, including four counts of rape. According to the Metropolitan Police, the charges were formally brought against Arnold on March 31 after an investigation led by Surrey Police. The officer, who serves in the South West Command Unit, was arrested on March 29 and subsequently appeared at Guildford Magistrates' Court, where he was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear at Guildford Crown Court on May 1. The charges arise from allegations related to incidents that occurred earlier this year, during which Arnold was off duty. In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed, and Arnold has been suspended from his duties. This development has raised concerns regarding police conduct and accountability, with many calling for transparency during the ongoing legal proceedings.
GBUnited Kingdom
All United Kingdom News ->