Survivors ‘let down’ by Government as it rejects proposals to ban deepfake abuse

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Deepfake abuse is the new frontier of violence against women and the non-consensual creation of a woman's naked image is an act of abuse Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge Labour’s general election manifesto stated the party would ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes, and the Government has re-iterated its promise to do this through its own legislation. “This Bill will return power to where it belongs – the hands of each individual woman.” Lady Owen added: “Deepfake abuse is the new frontier of violence against women and the non-consensual creation of a woman’s naked image is an act of abuse.” All women are forced to live under the ever-present threat that anyone can own sexually explicit content of them Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge The peer said research had found that one app processed 600,000 images in its first three weeks – while the largest site “dedicated to deepfake abuse” has 13.4 million hits every month. “The current law is a patchwork of legislation that cannot keep pace and means we’re forever playing catch-up whilst the abuse of women races ahead in a technological revolution of degradation.” Lady Owen said the measures in her Bill, if approved by Parliament, would be implemented as soon as it received royal assent. “Given the rapid proliferation of this abuse, every day that we delay is another day when women have to live under this ever-present threat.” Lady Owen said she had met ministers to discuss her Bill, adding: “I’m disappointed by their response suggesting they will not support this vital Bill and their apparent willingness to delay on legislating on image-based abuse.” Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Grender said the Bill is “essential”, adding: “Women can’t suffer delay on this issue.” The Bill was given a second reading and will undergo further scrutiny at a later date, although it is unlikely to become law in its current form without Government support.