Sharing ‘downblouse’ images and pornographic ‘deepfakes’ without consent can be a crime in England and Wales.
On Friday, announced by the government Proposing an amendment to the Online Safety Bill to make it a crime to share private images of individuals without their consent.
This includes “deepfakes,” or those who share explicit images or videos that have been manipulated to look like someone else without their consent. It also includes “down browsing”.
This follows news that a bill regulating the postponed online space will be introduced to Congress next month.
Non-consensual sharing of manufactured intimate images
The Ministry of Justice also plans to propose a law banning the installation of devices such as hidden cameras to take or record images of someone without their consent.
Repeal current laws and replace them with new offenses “to simplify the law and facilitate prosecution.”
This includes a new basic violation of sharing intimate images without consent, and two more serious violations based on intent to humiliate, warn, or cause distress and intent to gain sexual gratification. increase.
Two specific offenses are also created for threatening to share and installing equipment to allow images to be taken.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State Dominic Raab said: “We are committed to protecting women and girls from those who take intimate photographs or manipulate them to track or humiliate them. We have to do a lot more,” he said.
“Our changes will give police and prosecutors the power they need to bring these cowards to justice and protect women and girls from such vile abuse.
“This form of abuse can be devastating.”
Leading legal expert Claire McGlynn has warned of an “epidemic” of sexual abuse where images of people’s faces are fused with pornography and published online. She has expertise in legal regulation of pornography, image-based sexual abuse including “revenge porn” and “upskirt”, and sexual violence.
McGlynn is also a member of the UK Parliament’s Independent Panel of Experts, which hears appeals in cases of sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment.
“I think this announcement that it’s a crime to distribute deepfake porn videos without consent is a welcome step forward,” McGlynne told the Epoch Times in an email.
“We have known for years that this form of abuse can be devastating. We also know that there may be an increase in ,” she added.
“Today’s government announcement concerns new criminal activity, but internet platforms and social media companies must be compelled to act if they want to curtail non-consensual material. The bill offers an opportunity for change, but needs to be amended to require Ofcom to prepare a code of conduct on violence against women and girls to ensure its tech platforms take this abuse seriously. Yes,” said McGlynn.
The bill has been largely criticized by ministers within the Conservative Party and by free speech activists who have warned it could severely restrict free speech.
“I share my concerns about free speech and [Online Safety Bill] Do not consider that current levels of online abuse and harassment limit women’s freedom of speech and many other minority groups experiencing high levels of online abuse. “
“Regulations allow women to speak freely and we can participate online,” she added.
Harmful behavior
Matthew Lesch, head of public policy at the free market think tank IEA, said: wrote and criticized the online safety bill extensively It also warns that it poses serious threats to freedom of expression, privacy and innovation.
However, he said the new move was a “smarter use of the law”.
“The government’s focus on criminal justice, including outlawing targeted deepfakes, is a welcome step in the right direction,” Resch said in an email to The Epoch Times. rice field.
“This is a far more sensible use of law than the current online safety bill directing social media sites to approach legal but harmful speech and illegalization that causes emotional distress.” he added.
comment On Reforming Intimate Image AbuseLaw Commissioner Criminal Law Commissioner Penny Lewis said in a statement:
“I am pleased that the government has committed to moving forward with our recommendations to strengthen the law. I assure you that the perpetrators of the crime will be prosecuted.”
Under the bill, the largest social media platforms will be required to conduct risk assessments on the types of harm that may appear on their services and how to address them, and stipulate how this is done in their terms of service. there is. Communications regulator Ofcom has the power to fine companies that do not comply with the law up to 10% of their annual global turnover.
The bill is currently in the reporting stage in the House.
PA Media contributed to this report.
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Owen Evans is a UK-based journalist with a particular interest in civil liberties and free speech, covering stories from a wide variety of countries.