Thank you for contacting me about ‘deepfakes’. As you may know, a deepfake is when technology or artificial intelligence (AI) is used to create a fake picture, video or audio recording. Typically, these have been used maliciously or to spread false information. Non-consensual sexual deepfakes are a form of image based sexual abuse. The non-consensual use of images and videos is damaging to individuals who have their image altered.
Through the UK Conservative Government, I am reassured that the Home Office is currently working with the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to review the extent to which existing criminal law provides coverage of AI-enabled offending and harmful behaviour, including the production and distribution of deepfake material using generative AI.
With respect to material concerning public figures, from the 31st January 2024, the new Online Safety Act has made the sharing of AI-generated intimate images without consent illegal. The Act has also brought in further changes around sharing and threatening to share intimate images without consent.
The UK Government has confirmed that, if the review suggests alterations to the criminal law are required to clarify its application to AI-generation synthetic and manipulated material, amendments will be considered.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
