UK to protect women from explicit deepfakes

The United Kingdom has taken its first step against the abuse of artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit deepfakes to protect women.

“We’re cracking down on the vile degenerates who make sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’.

“We’re introducing a new law to ban the creation of these distressing and abusive images – meaning those convicted of this immoral crime face a criminal record and an unlimited fine,” said United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on LinkedIn.

In a press release issued yesterday, those who create deepfakes without consent would have a criminal record and unlimited fine.

“If the image is then shared more widely offenders could be sent to jail.

“The new law will mean that if someone creates a sexually explicit deepfake, even if they have no intent to share it but purely want to cause alarm, humiliation or distress to the victim, they will be committing a criminal offence,” said the government.

This means creating a sexually explicit deepfake of adult female is equivalent to committing a crime.

This offence would be part of amendments in the Criminal Justice Bill.

At present, the Online Safety Act criminalises sharing of ‘deepfake’ intimate images for the first time.

In comparison, there are no specific legislations against deepfake in Malaysia.

Communication and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 and defamation laws are the only forms of legal mitigation that Malaysia has.

Aside from that Malaysia, also has the Sexual Offences Against Children 2017.