Australian lawmakers are considering new legislation that would make creating or sharing deepfake porn without consent a criminal offense. Under the proposed laws, individuals who share digitally altered pornographic images without permission could face up to six years in jail, while those responsible for creating the images could face up to seven years.
The Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, is expected to introduce the legislation in federal parliament next week. The new laws would criminalize the sharing of non-consensual deepfake pornographic images, whether done privately or publicly on various platforms. This move aims to address the harmful impact such behavior has, particularly on women and girls who are often the targets of this type of abuse.
The legislation is part of broader efforts to combat violence against women and address the negative role of technology in spreading violent and degrading content. The proposed changes highlight the government’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for sharing sexually explicit material without consent, especially when created using artificial intelligence.
The move comes amid concerns about the increasing use of AI in creating and disseminating pornographic material online. Law enforcement officials have warned about the challenges posed by the rapid advancement of technology and the need for corresponding legal measures.
The potential legislation aligns with the government’s goal of ending violence against women within a generation and reflects a broader effort to enhance online safety and combat malicious behavior. The new laws would complement existing legislation addressing the possession of explicit images of real children or childlike images.
By criminalizing the sharing of non-consensual deepfake pornographic material, the Australian government aims to send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated. The reforms seek to underline the serious consequences of sharing sexually explicit content without consent, while also acknowledging the evolving nature of technology and online abuse.
Overall, the proposed legislation represents a significant step towards protecting individuals from the harmful effects of non-consensual deepfake porn and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
