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UK’s internet watchdog toughens approach to deepfake porn
Ofcom, the UK's internet safety regulator, has strengthened its guidance to combat deepfake porn and other online harms targeting women and girls as it implements the Online Safety Act (OSA). This draft guidance emphasizes the legal obligations of platforms to protect users from harassment and abuse, especially concerning intimate image abuse using AI tools, with enforcement set to begin shortly.
Key points
- Ofcom published new draft guidance aimed at enhancing online safety for women and girls in relation to the OSA.
- Certain forms of misogynist abuse, including sharing intimate images without consent, are prioritized for law enforcement.
- Concerns exist about delays in enacting OSA regulations, but core requirements will begin enforcement soon.
- The guidance emphasizes a 'safety by design' approach, encouraging platforms to incorporate user safety into their design processes.
- Technological measures such as hash matching are recommended to detect and remove intimate image abuse, particularly deepfake imagery.
Why it matters
- The OSA, approved by Parliament in September 2023, reflects increasing global concerns over online safety, particularly for vulnerable groups.
- The rise in deepfake technologies and their misuse for harassment parallels growing discussions about AI ethics and regulation.
- Timeline for implementing OSA provisions demonstrates broader industry trends toward more stringent content moderation and user safety practices.
Ofcom's new draft guidance signifies a pivotal step toward enhancing the legal framework for online safety, particularly for women and girls, as emerging technologies increase the risk of intimate image abuse. The regulator's focus on proactive design measures and technological solutions underscores the urgent need for platforms to adapt to the evolving digital landscape.