Sharing ‘deepfake’ videos and ‘downblouse’ cleavage pictures could become illegal

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Proposals published by the Law Commission also involve criminalising threats to share revenge porn and changes which would ensure automatic anonymity for survivors of intimate image abuse - as is currently the case for sexual offence victims. Professor Penney Lewis, criminal law commissioner at the Law Commission, said: “For victims, having their intimate images taken or shared without consent can be an incredibly damaging and humiliating experience. “Our proposals would reform the existing law and ensure that victims are given the protection they need.” The commission notes current laws are inconsistent - with upskirting, defined as the act of covertly filming or taking a picture under a person’s skirt with no consent, a criminal offence whereas downblousing is not. “I support the Law Commission’s approach to improving protections for victims of this abuse and encourage everyone to respond to this important consultation paper.” Julia Mulligan, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Victims’ co-lead and North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “The Law Commission’s recommendation to extend anonymity to all victims of intimate image abuse, including so-called revenge porn, is absolutely the right one.