Britain will blaze a trail for the rest of the world to follow by introducing new sex offences to stop depraved people using Artificial Intelligence to create images of child abuse.
Perverts are using AI tools to generate child sex abuse images. This can involve “nudeifying” pictures of children or putting a child’s face on horrific existing images.
These fake images are often used to blackmail children and compel victims to suffer further abuse. AI is being used by perpetrators to hide their identity and groom and abuse children.
Rani Govender of the NSPCC, said: “Our Childline service is hearing from children and young people about the devastating impact it can have when AI generated images are created of them and shared.”
The UK will be the first country to make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material. This will be punishable with up to five years in prison.
It will also be illegal to possess “paedophile manuals” which teach people how to use AI for sexual abuse. Those guilty could face three years imprisonment.
In addition, a specific offence – punishable by up to a decade behind bars – will be created for predators who run websites for other paedophiles to share child sexual abuse content or exchange advice on grooming children.
Furthermore, Border Force will gain powers to compel anyone they “reasonably suspect poses a sexual risk to children” to unlock their digital devices for inspection.
The four measures will be introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We know that sick predators’ activities online often lead to them carrying out the most horrific abuse in person. This Government will not hesitate to act to ensure the safety of children online by ensuring our laws keep pace with the latest threats.
“These four new laws are bold measures designed to keep our children safe online as technologies evolve.”
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has warned that increasing amounts of AI sexual abuse images of children are being produced.
Peter Kyle, the Technology Secretary, said: “For too long abusers have hidden behind their screens, manipulating technology to commit vile crimes and the law has failed to keep up. It’s meant too many children, young people, and their families have been suffering the dire and lasting impacts of this abuse.
“That is why we are cracking down with some of the most far-reaching laws anywhere in the world. These laws will close loopholes, imprison more abusers, and put a stop to the trafficking of this abhorrent material from abroad.
“Our message is clear – nothing will get in the way from keeping children safe, and to abusers, the time for cowering behind a keyboard is over.”
Derek Ray-Hill of the Internet Watch Foundation said: “We have long been calling for the law to be tightened up, and are pleased the Government has adopted our recommendations. These steps will have a concrete impact on online safety.
“The frightening speed with which AI imagery has become indistinguishable from photographic abuse has shown the need for legislation to keep pace with new technologies.
“Children who have suffered sexual abuse in the past are now being made victims all over again, with images of their abuse being commodified to train AI models. It is a nightmare scenario, and any child can now be made a victim, with life-like images of them being sexually abused obtainable with only a few prompts, and a few clicks.
“The availability of this AI content further fuels sexual violence against children. It emboldens and encourages abusers, and it makes real children less safe.”
Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said she would “implore Big Tech to take seriously its responsibility to protect children and not provide safe spaces for this offending”.