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Britain to Make Sexually Explicit Deepfakes a Crime

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The British government announced on Tuesday that creating and sharing sexually explicit “deepfakes” will soon become a criminal offence in an effort to combat the growing problem of digitally manipulated images, often targeting women and girls. Deepfakes are AI-generated images, videos, or audio clips that convincingly alter a person’s likeness, commonly used to create pornographic content without consent.

While the UK has criminalized the publication of intimate images without consent under the “revenge porn” law since 2015, the new legislation specifically addresses the use of fake images, which were previously not covered. Data from the UK-based Revenge Porn Helpline revealed a staggering 400% increase in image-based abuse involving deepfakes since 2017.

The new law will make it a criminal offence to both create and distribute sexually explicit deepfakes. Offenders could face prosecution and penalties, with the justice ministry emphasizing that there is “no excuse” for creating such content without consent. This follows earlier proposals by the previous Conservative government, which also aimed to criminalize deepfake pornography, with offenders potentially facing fines or jail time.

In addition to the deepfake legislation, the government will introduce new offences related to taking intimate images without consent and installing equipment with the intent to create such content. Those found guilty could face up to two years in prison.

Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones described this type of abuse as “demeaning and disgusting,” adding that it should not be normalized. Technology Minister Margaret Jones highlighted that tech platforms hosting such images will face stricter scrutiny and significant penalties. Campaigner Jess Davies emphasized that this form of abuse is causing “significant, long-lasting harm” to women and girls, resulting in a loss of control over their digital lives.

These new offences will be included in the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which is expected to be introduced to parliament, though a date for its presentation has not yet been set.

 

India Outraged Over Alleged Sexual Assault of Woman Inside Police Station

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A retired Indian high court judge has been appointed to investigate disturbing allegations that a 32-year-old woman was physically and sexually assaulted by police inside a station in Odisha, India. The woman, a law graduate and restaurant owner, claims that on September 15, she and her fiancé, an army officer, sought help at Bharatpur police station after being harassed by a group of men. Instead of assistance, the police allegedly abused them.

In a harrowing video shared widely on social media, the woman, visibly injured, recounted the ordeal. She alleged that two female officers beat her, dragged her by her hair, and tied her up. According to the woman, a male officer then entered the room, stripped her, and threatened to rape her if she continued to scream for help.

The incident has sparked national outrage, leading to the suspension of four police officers and the transfer of a fifth. Odisha’s crime branch opened an investigation following the uproar. Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra, who granted the woman bail, condemned the police for not adhering to legal procedures during the arrest. The judge also criticized the lower court for denying her bail initially, calling the allegations “serious” and a violation of democratic principles.

The woman’s fiancé was held in custody for 14 hours without charge, prompting a formal complaint from the Indian army. Many army officials have expressed solidarity with the woman, whose father is a retired army brigadier, intensifying public demands for justice.

Despite public outcry, reports surfaced that some have attempted to victim-shame the woman, questioning her character due to her consumption of alcohol and her clothing. However, women’s rights activist Namrata Chadha, who visited the woman in the hospital, called this response “heart-breaking” and emphasized the importance of standing by victims rather than blaming them.

The Odisha government has appointed retired Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash to lead the inquiry, with a report expected in 60 days. Many are now questioning the safety of women in police custody, with activists arguing that the case underscores a much larger issue of police misconduct, particularly when dealing with women. Chadha voiced concerns about what this means for ordinary women seeking help at police stations, noting the failure of basic protocols meant to protect victims.

The seven men accused of harassing the couple were arrested and released on bail, while the investigation into the woman’s allegations against the police continues.

South Korean Vlogger Claims She Aborted Baby at Nine Months, Sparking Investigation

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A South Korean vlogger is under investigation for murder after claiming she aborted her pregnancy at 36 weeks, an act that has shocked the nation. The woman posted a video on YouTube detailing her experience, prompting a police investigation at the request of the South Korean government. Despite global norms restricting abortions after 24 weeks, South Korea lacks any abortion laws since the 2019 repeal of its previous ban, creating a legal vacuum that has left doctors and patients in uncertainty.

The decriminalization of abortion in 2019 was seen as a victory for reproductive rights, but the failure of the National Assembly to pass new abortion legislation has led to widespread confusion. Women’s rights organizations in South Korea are criticizing the government, stating that the lack of regulation exposes women to unsafe practices while stifling access to safe abortions.

Historically, abortion was heavily restricted in South Korea, with criminal penalties for both doctors and women. However, with the government failing to enact new laws by the 2020 deadline, abortion effectively became legal at any stage of pregnancy. While this development was celebrated by reproductive rights advocates, the absence of clear policies continues to create risks for women, as seen in the current case. In a country still dominated by conservative attitudes, the debate over abortion remains divisive, with religious groups playing a powerful role in stalling legislative progress.