
Change in Deepfake law – will it make a difference?
There have been a number of developments in the world of deepfakes in the past week – firstly, a change in the law has been announced. The Ministry of Justice stated: “Malicious predators who create sexually explicit deepfakes without consent can expect to face the full force of the law under a new amendment to legislation.”
It is essential the law keeps pace with technological advances, so this new offence is a welcome step in the right direction. The law only changed in 2023 to make it illegal to share deepfake intimate images, and since then there has been a glaring hole in the legislation which meant creating the images in the first place was not an offence. This new amendment will hopefully mean deepfake explicit images are better controlled.
However, as with all change of this sort, it will take time to see real impact and it must be properly supported by expertise and infrastructure to police the law and ensure any harmful images are removed and those that create and share it are swiftly prosecuted.
This week also sees the release of ‘Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape’ on Channel 4 which aims to shine a spotlight on the issues of deepfake pornography. In the documentary, the Geordie Shore star has directed, produced, and distributed an explicit video featuring her own image, superimposed onto an actor. However, the documentary has been met with widespread criticism.
Whilst the intention at the heart of Vicky Pattison’s stunt to create deepfake imagery of herself ahead of her new documentary on this issue may well have been honourable, abuse survivors have, understandably, felt it is disrespectful. Consent is at the heart of the issue here, and creating a deepfake with consent is in no way comparable to the experience of so many abuse survivors who were targeted with malicious imagery.
However, it is positive we’re seeing so many developments on this issue – deepfake porn has exploded in the last few years and evolving AI technology means it’s easier than ever for people to create these harmful images. Change is needed.
We work with survivors of image-based abuse, including deepfake images, revenge porn, grooming and sexting. If you have experienced this type of abuse and would like to speak to someone, confidentially, please do get in touch.