Without consent, it will be unlawful to photograph women’s genitalia and create “deepfake” pornographic photographs.
Taking pictures down women’s tops and creating ‘deepfake’ pornographic images without consent are to be made illegal (stock image)
Yesterday’s change to the Online Safety Bill would provide law enforcement and prosecutors additional authority to bring offenders to justice.
The Ministry of Justice stated that a slew of amendments to the legislation will better safeguard victims from having personal photos disseminated without their permission.
This includes the possibility of imprisonment for ‘deepfakes’ creators who use photo-editing software to generate fake photos of nude people.
It would also criminalize so-called ‘downblousing,’ along with the government’s efforts to ban ‘upskirting’
Police have recorded over 28,000 reports of people sending private sexual images without consent since 2015 (stock image)
Dominic Raab, the secretary of state for justice, stated, “We must do more to safeguard women and girls from those who take or distort private photographs in order to harass or humiliate them.”
Our amendments would provide police and prosecutors with the necessary authority to bring these criminals to justice and protect women and girls from such heinous assault.
Without consent, taking photographs down women’s shirts and making ‘deepfake’ pornographic photos will be made criminal (stock image)
Approximately one in fourteen individuals have been threatened with the dissemination of private photographs.
Since 2015, police have received over 28,000 allegations of individuals transmitting private sexual pictures without consent.
The Law Commission had demanded the modifications, stating that criminal offenses had not kept up with technological advancements and had failed to safeguard all victims, while offenders eluded prosecution.
The government will implement the body’s recommendations, including the simplification of the legislation and the facilitation of prosecutions.
This adds a new basic offense for distributing an intimate photograph without consent and two more serious offenses for causing embarrassment, fear, or distress and for sexual enjoyment.
Since 2015, police have received over 28,000 allegations of individuals transmitting private sexual pictures without consent (stock image)
Two new crimes will be introduced for threatening to share and installing technology that enables the taking of photos.
The Law Commission’s Professor Penney Lewis stated, “Taking or disseminating intimate photos of a person without their agreement can cause permanent harm.”
“We are delighted that the government will implement our suggestions to enhance the law.
A new set of offenses will encompass a broader spectrum of abusive behaviors, guaranteeing that more offenders of these gravely damaging crimes will be prosecuted.
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