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UK’s internet watchdog toughens approach to deepfake porn
The UK’s online safety regulator, Ofcom, has announced a new draft guidance aimed at curbing the spread of illegal and harmful content, particularly in the form of deepfakes. According to Natasha Lomas, a senior reporter for TechCrunch, this move is a major step forward in addressing the rise of intimate image abuse.
In a recent statement, Ofcom emphasized that child safety remains its top priority. The new guidance advises online platforms to take proactive measures against the spread of harmful content. This includes the use of hash matching technology to counter intimate image abuse, which has seen a substantial increase, particularly due to AI-generated deepfake image abuse.
Hash matching is an important tool in this fight as it allows for automated detection and removal of illegal content. “We’ve included additional steps in this guidance that go beyond what we’ve already set out in our codes,” said Ofcom’s CEO, confirming plans to update its earlier codes to incorporate these changes in the near future.
By following these new guidelines, online platforms can get ahead of the upcoming enforceable requirements and ensure a safer internet for all users.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/24/uks-internet-watchdog-toughens-approach-to-deepfake-porn/
