The public consultation was launched yesterday (21 July) by Justice Minister Naomi Long as part of the Department's ongoing efforts to protect the public from the growing issues related to deepfake technology.
The North Down MLA said: “Today’s news from the Justice Minister proposing to criminalise the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images is very welcome.
“This behaviour is incredibly sinister, and sadly many individuals, mostly who are women, have been targeted, with their images falsely used to create sexually explicit content without their consent.
“The consequences of deepfakes are extremely damaging and can ruin lives. The victims are often left with major mental ill-health and sometimes even feel suicidal after being deeply violated and abused in this way.
“We don’t want to see another individual experience what it’s like to have a deepfake created of them, and I am encouraging everyone to fill out this consultation so we can bring justice to those creating these false images and protect people from being targeted by this disgusting use of technology in the future.
“The criminalisation of deepfakes follows several offences introduced by Minister Long in 2022 to deal with downblousing, upskirting and cyberflashing. I am grateful for the work the Minister has done and continues to do in tackling violence against women and girls and creating a safer Northern Ireland."
The North Down MLA said: “Today’s news from the Justice Minister proposing to criminalise the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images is very welcome.
“This behaviour is incredibly sinister, and sadly many individuals, mostly who are women, have been targeted, with their images falsely used to create sexually explicit content without their consent.
“The consequences of deepfakes are extremely damaging and can ruin lives. The victims are often left with major mental ill-health and sometimes even feel suicidal after being deeply violated and abused in this way.
“We don’t want to see another individual experience what it’s like to have a deepfake created of them, and I am encouraging everyone to fill out this consultation so we can bring justice to those creating these false images and protect people from being targeted by this disgusting use of technology in the future.
“The criminalisation of deepfakes follows several offences introduced by Minister Long in 2022 to deal with downblousing, upskirting and cyberflashing. I am grateful for the work the Minister has done and continues to do in tackling violence against women and girls and creating a safer Northern Ireland."