Baroness Charlotte Owen is advocating for new laws against deepfake AI pornography.
- Existing laws have significant loopholes regarding non-consensual deepfake content.
- Victims face challenges proving intent under current legislation, causing further distress.
- Owen’s proposed Bill includes criminalising the solicitation of deepfake pornography.
- The Bill has received cross-party interest and support in the House of Lords.
Baroness Charlotte Owen has highlighted the urgent need for updated legislation to tackle the issue of non-consensual deepfake pornography. The current laws possess significant gaps, leaving many victims vulnerable and without adequate legal protection. Owen has pushed for a new Bill, bringing it to its second reading, which aims to address these shortcomings effectively.
Under existing legislation, such as the Sexual Offences Act 2003, victims are required to prove the intent of the perpetrator, a process described as hugely distressing and re-traumatising by Owen. She cites instances where victims have had to revisit painful experiences not just to prove lack of consent but to demonstrate the perpetrator’s awareness of the harm caused.
A major concern is the advancement of generative AI technologies which have made the creation of deepfake pornography more accessible. Owen points out that these technologies have given rise to an industry of apps, with some amassing tens of millions of users monthly. Research by Australian firm Canva shows that one popular app processed 600,000 images of women within just 21 days of its launch.
The proposed Bill also seeks to criminalise the solicitation of deepfake pornography. Owen’s discussions with the Jodie Campaigns founder, an advocate for survivors of image-based abuse, underscored how perpetrators evade current laws by soliciting others across different jurisdictions.
The upcoming debate in the House of Lords is crucial for this Bill, which Owen notes has gained substantial attention and backing from lords across party lines, including Labour, Conservatives, and Liberal Democrats. She is optimistic that the Bill aligns with broader government initiatives focused on combatting violence against women, indicating a strong possibility for additional support in the Commons.
The Non-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos Bill represents a critical step forward in addressing the complex challenges posed by deepfake technology.
