Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones outlines plans to tackle explicit deepfakes and hold social media platforms accountable

The Labour Party has issued a strong challenge to tech giants, including Elon Musk, vowing to hold firms accountable for permitting online abuse on their platforms.

The government’s new initiative targets the growing issue of explicit deepfakes, introducing a criminal offence for both creating and distributing such images. Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones spoke exclusively to The Independent, detailing the government’s approach to tackling what she described as a “devastating epidemic” of digital abuse.

“These hyper-realistic images are deeply abusive, degrading, and humiliating,” Davies-Jones explained. “We must take decisive action to address this alarming problem.” She stressed that Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has the power to take action against tech firms, including imposing fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their annual revenue, whichever is higher.

Moreover, Davies-Jones underscored the importance of criminal sanctions, which will compel platforms to remove illegal content. “Once these new offences are in place, Ofcom will be obligated to enforce them, ensuring tech companies respond swiftly to remove unlawful material,” she said.

Despite acknowledging the challenges in policing this new legislation, Davies-Jones assured that the government is collaborating with the College of Policing to equip law enforcement with the necessary resources and expertise to track down perpetrators.

The government’s crackdown comes in response to the rapid rise in explicit deepfake imagery, which has caused significant harm, particularly to women and girls, who are often the main victims. The Ministry of Justice estimates that one in three women faces online abuse.

“It is horrific,” said Davies-Jones. “Victims are left feeling worthless and vulnerable, as they have no idea who has seen these images or where they’ve been shared.”

The deepfake images are particularly concerning because they are so realistic, making it extremely difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is fabricated. “That’s why it’s so critical we get the legislation right,” she added. “We must address this issue, as it has escalated to epidemic proportions.”

The announcement comes amidst a heated dispute between Sir Keir Starmer and X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk. The controversy ignited when Musk criticized the government for rejecting calls for a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. Over Christmas, Musk accused Home Office minister Jess Phillips of being a “rape genocide apologist” and called for her imprisonment, sparking an outcry.

Following Musk’s tirade, a man was charged with sending malicious communications to Phillips, highlighting the urgency of tackling violence against women. Davies-Jones stressed that this is not an isolated issue affecting politicians but one that affects everyone, emphasizing that the government is committed to taking action.

The victims minister also dismissed Musk’s call for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs. “The UK has already conducted a comprehensive national inquiry that lasted seven years and cost over £100 million,” she explained. “Now, it’s time to focus on implementing the recommendations to ensure justice for victims.”

Her comments came shortly after Professor Alexis Jay, chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, also supported Sir Keir’s stance that there is no need for a new inquiry. “We have all the information we need,” she stated, calling for action rather than more inquiries.

Davies-Jones concluded by addressing the broader issue of violence against women and girls, urging social media platforms to be more responsible in how they handle such sensitive matters. “It is essential that we listen to victims and survivors, as they have already spoken through the National Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Now, it is time to deliver justice for them.”