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UK Tightens Laws on AI Generated Sexual Deepfakes

Following intense controversy surrounding Grok AI on X (formerly known as Twitter), the UK government has moved with unprecedented speed to close legal loopholes that previously protected the creators of AI-generated sexual content and tightening up the laws on AI generated sexual deepfakes.

As of the week of 12th January 2026, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced that the creation of non-consensual intimate images is now a specific criminal offence. While it has long been illegal to share such images, this new crackdown targets the act of creating them, even if they never leave their creator’s device.

With Parliament evidence citing that 275,000 intimate deepfake videos appeared on major sites in 2023 alone, generating over four billion views, the message from Westminster is clear: technology can no longer be used as a weapon of abuse without serious criminal consequences.

Is It Now Illegal to Create AI-Generated Sexual Deepfakes in the UK?

Yes. Under the Data (Use and Access) Act (DUAA), it is now a criminal offence to intentionally create or request the creation of intimate images of another person without their consent.

Previously, the laws on AI primarily focused on the distribution of such materials, often called ‘’revenge porn’’. This left a grey area where individuals could use AI tools to undress others for their own private use. This gap is now closed and if you use AI to generate an intimate image of someone without their permission, you will be committing a criminal offence.

What Counts as a Non-Consensual Intimate Image or Deepfake?

The legal definition of an intimate image is broader than many realise. Under the Sexual Offences Act and the 2026 updates, it includes:

  • Images showing a person’s exposed genitals, breasts, or buttocks
  • Images of a person in their underwear or bikinis
  • Images of a person engaged in a sexual act
  • Digitally altered content where a real person’s face is placed onto a sexualised body

Crucially, the law covers purported images, meaning that even if the image is entirely fake, if it appears to show a real person in an intimate state, it falls under the criminal threshold.

Are Nudification Apps Becoming Illegal in the UK?

The government is taking the fight directly to the source. Beyond targeting individual users, the Crime and Policing Bill is being used to criminalise the supply of nudification tools.

This means that companies providing apps or websites specifically designed to undress people via AI will be committing an offence. This move is designed to dismantle the deepfake trade by making the software itself illegal to provide within the UK.

What Does the Online Safety Act Require Platforms Like X to Do?

The Online Safety Act (OSA) places a legal duty of care on social media companies, search engines, and AI services operating in the UK. Following the Grok controversy, Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into X to determine if the platform failed in its duties to protect users from illegal content.

Under the OSA, platforms must:

  1. Prevent: Proactively stop priority illegal content, like sexually explicit deepfake images, from appearing
  2. Remove: Take down illegal content swiftly once alerted
  3. Assess Risk: Carry out rigorous assessments to determine the risk of their services being used to generate or share illegal content, allowing them to implement proactive measures

If found in breach, platforms face staggering fines of up to 10% of their global turnover. In extreme cases, Ofcom has the power to apply for court orders to block access to the site entirely in the UK.

Penalties for Creating or Sharing Sexual Deepfakes

The UK legal system is treating these offences with increasing severity. Penalties vary based on the intent and the harm caused:

OFFENCE TYPICAL PENALTIES
Creation/Solicitation of Sexual Deepfakes Fines and potential custodial sentences of up to two years in prison
Sharing/Distributing Sexual Deepfakes Custodial sentences of up to two years in prison
Threatening to Share Criminal prosecution, even if the image does not exist

What Should Victims Do?

If you discover a sexual deepfake of yourself online, or if someone is threatening you with one, it is vital to act quickly:

  • Do Not Engage: Avoid contacting the perpetrator directly, as this can escalate the situation
  • Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots of the content, save the URL, and any messages. This is vital, as social media evidence is key to a successful prosecution.
  • Report to the Platform: Use the reporting tools on X, Instagram, or the relevant site
  • Report to the Police: Creating and sharing these images is now a chargeable offence

Contact our Specialist Sexual Offences Team

The speed at which these laws have changed means many people are now unsure of their legal position or facing accusations based on new legislation. Whether you are a victim seeking justice or an individual who has been accused of possessing indecent images, or creating prohibited content, the stakes are incredibly high.

At DPP Law, we provide confidential, expert advice on all aspects of online sexual offences. From understanding why the police seized your laptop to defending complex cases involving the latest AI legislation, our team is here to protect your rights and your freedom.

Contact our specialist solicitors today for a confidential discussion about your situation.