UK Online Safety Bill amended to combat deepfakes and revenge porn
Under the proposed changes, individuals caught sharing such explicit material without consent could face up to six months in prison. If there is evidence of intent to cause distress or obtain sexual gratification, the sentence could increase to two years.
The Online Safety Bill is being amended to introduce a six-month prison term for sharing deepfake and revenge porn, which can increase to two years if there is evidence of intent to cause distress or obtain sexual gratification. Those who share images for sexual gratification may also be added to the sex offenders’ register.
The reforms are a response to the increasing problem of deepfakes and intimate image abuse. Revenge porn became a crime in 2015, but prosecutors previously had to demonstrate the intent to humiliate or distress. Georgia Harrison, a TV personality, advocated for a modification to the law after her ex-partner, Stephen Bear, was imprisoned for sharing private videos of her on his OnlyFans platform.
The changes have been welcomed by victims and advocates who believe they will bring justice and protection. However, concerns have been raised about jurisdictional issues and the need for more accountability from tech companies in addressing image-based abuse and child sexual abuse material.
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