UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2026:
Since the July 2025 update, the UK has formally enacted its crackdown on sexually explicit deepfakes. This marks a major shift from proposal to enforceable law. The new offense was established through Section 138 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. This act amends the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and came into force on February 6, 2026. The law makes it a criminal offense to intentionally create or commission non-consensual “purported sexual images.” These include AI-generated deepfakes and manipulated images depicting nudity or sexual activity. Importantly, lawmakers removed the requirement to prove intent to cause harm or humiliation. Now, prosecutions focus solely on whether consent was absent.
Under the updated framework, offenders can face unlimited fines for creating such material. Meanwhile, sharing or distributing intimate deepfakes can result in prison sentences of up to two years. The law also extends liability to those who commission deepfake content. This reinforces the government’s broader effort to close legal gaps around image-based abuse. These measures build directly on the Online Safety Act 2023. That act had already criminalized the sharing of non-consensual intimate deepfakes.
Enforcement expectations have also expanded. Platforms operating in the UK are now required to proactively prevent and rapidly remove abusive intimate content under Online Safety Act obligations. Regulators are able to impose penalties of up to 10% of global turnover for non-compliance. In February 2026, the government further strengthened its approach by announcing that technology companies should remove abusive intimate images within 48 hours. Thus, this treats this category of harm with heightened urgency as part of wider violence-against-women initiatives. Additional enforcement attention is also being directed toward AI “nudification” tools.
As of early 2026, the UK’s deepfake policy has moved from legislative debate to active enforcement. The new offense now sits within a broader strategy aimed at combating online sexual abuse. This strengthens victim protections and ensures AI-generated content cannot be used to exploit or harass individuals. Now, there are clear legal consequences.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
UK Government Introduces Crackdown on ‘Deepfakes’ Creation
The British government has announced tough measures to stop the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes. These manipulated images and videos, often non-consensual, have spread quickly online and caused significant harm to victims.
Under the new law, individuals who create deepfake sexual images without consent will face prosecution and unlimited fines. Offenders who share these images could also face prison time. The legislation aims to address the growing use of deepfakes, which cause distress worldwide.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Justice and Laura Farris MP, underscores the government’s commitment to protecting women and girls from online abuse and exploitation. The move follows last year’s reforms in the Online Safety Act. Those reforms criminalized the sharing of deepfake intimate images for the first time. Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris, condemned the creation of deepfake sexual images as “despicable and completely unacceptable,” emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance approach towards such malicious activities. Farris highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences of sharing such material. She reiterated the government’s determination to hold perpetrators accountable.
The proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill expands on existing legislation. It introduces new criminal offenses to punish individuals who create or distribute intimate images without consent. These measures build on previous initiatives, including the ‘upskirting’ offense. This initiative is aimed at addressing various forms of image-based abuse. The government’s efforts to combat violence against women and girls have been further reinforced by reclassifying it as a national threat. This prioritizes law enforcement responses to such offenses. In a landmark case, Nicholas Hawkes was sentenced under the new Cyberflashing offense. This highlights the government’s commitment to tackling online sexual harassment.
Conclusion
The announcement has been welcomed by campaigners and organizations advocating for women’s rights and online safety. Cally Jane Beech, a campaigner and former Love Island contestant, hailed the new offense as a significant step towards strengthening laws to protect women. Similarly, Deborah Joseph, European Editorial Director of GLAMOUR, emphasized the importance of putting women’s safety at the center of the legislative agenda.
In addition to addressing deepfake creation, the government has introduced amendments to the Sexual Offenses Act 2003. These extend voyeurism offenses to cover non-consensual images of breastfeeding. Furthermore, reforms in the Criminal Justice Bill will impose longer sentences for offenders who cause death through abusive sexual behavior or ‘rough sex.’ This reflects the government’s commitment to justice for victims of sexual violence.
Need Help?
If you’re wondering how these measures, or any other AI regulations and laws worldwide could impact you and your business, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can address your concerns and questions while offering valuable insights.
