Law to be toughened to tackle AI deepfake porn

A proposed law change could make it illegal to use artificial intelligence (AI) to make sexual images without consent in Guernsey.

The States of Guernsey said the Committee for Home Affairs would look to address nine areas by amendments to the Sexual Offences Law 2020.

One of the proposed changes involves using AI to create false sexual images and videos - known as deepfakes - without consent.

Det Insp Thomas Lowe said: "Our main goal is always to safeguard victims and ensure offenders are brought to justice, and I hope these new amendments, when passed, will allow us to do that more effectively."

Seven of the areas proposed to be tackled relate to sexual imagery and two would look to fix gaps identified since the law was introduced.

Creating or taking intimate images without consent would also be come an offence, alongside sharing these images.

Other new offences include cyberflashing, requesting deepfakes and possessing indecent cartoons or drawings of children.

The changes would also broaden the application of Risk of Sexual Harm Orders, which could be used by a court to prevent a person causing any harm to children.

Home Affairs President Marc Leadbeater said: "The committee was concerned to learn that Guernsey Police have dealt with cases involving intimate AI images – or similar – in recent months, and so was determined to act swiftly to protect victims of this type of offending.

"We will also be taking the opportunity to enhance some other areas of the legislation, with regard to indecent images of children, and the powers the criminal justice system has in order to protect the community."

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