The NSW Coalition will introduce a Bill in Parliament to criminalise the production and/or distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes, following disturbing reports of female students, teachers and workers being digitally targeted across the state.

‍

Deepfakes are AI-generated, highly realistic but false images, video, audio, or text that falsely depict a real person doing or saying something they never did.

‍

In 2023, 98% of deepfake videos online were pornographic and 99% featured women.

‍

Aileen MacDonald MLC, Shadow Minister for Youth Justice, welcomed the announcement and pledged her support for the bill when it comes before the NSW Parliament.

‍

“This deepfake abuse is happening in our schools, workplaces, and communities and it’s overwhelmingly targeting women,” Ms MacDonald said. The Minns Labor Government has failed to keep pace with technology and protect victims.

‍

“The Government must support this Bill and close legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to avoid accountability,” Ms MacDonald said.

‍

“We’re putting forward commonsense laws to send a clear message: if it’s not your body, it’s not your right.”

‍

“Women and girls deserve real protections in the digital age and the law must reflect that.”

‍

“I’m proud to be part of a team fighting to keep NSW women safe from this new form of abuse,” Aileen MacDonald MLC said.