Act MP’s bill to criminalise explicit ‘deepfakes’ pulled from ballot

Act MP Laura McClure’s bill expands the definition of "intimate visual recording" to include synthesised or altered images. Photo / 123rf

By RNZ

Act MP Laura McClure’s Bill to criminalise sexually explicit “deepfake” images has been drawn from the biscuit tin.

The Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill would amend existing laws to expand the definition of an “intimate visual recording”.

It would widen what a “recording” is to include images or videos that are created, synthesised or altered to depict a person’s likeness in intimate contexts without their consent.

“Since I lodged my bill, I’ve heard from victims who’ve had their lives derailed by deepfake abuse,” McClure said.

“Netsafe says they receive complaints daily from people whose images have been weaponised to create sexually explicit deepfake abuse. Principals have told me it’s a rising problem at New Zealand’s schools.”

Laura McClure, who has been a victim of an edited deepfake AI nude photo, emphasises the need for action, citing rising complaints and impacts on victims and schools. Photo / Supplied

McClure said Parliament now had an opportunity to empower victims of deepfake abuse with a clear pathway towards the removal of the images and the prosecution of their abusers.

“My bill does not seek to ban a whole subset of technology or create a new regulatory regime. It is a simple tweak to existing laws to address a specific, well-defined and understood problem.

“The technology is advancing, and its use is expanding. We need to act now before the abuse of this technology is normalised.”

The bill will be read a first time at a later date.

– RNZ