Creating AI deepfakes of real people to be made illegal in Queensland
Creating sexually explicit deepfake AI images of real people without their consent will be illegal in Queensland.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington announced the new legislative plan in Parliament House on Sunday.
“This is for the people whose images have been weaponized against them, the teachers who have been subjected to disgusting cyberbullying and the victims across Queensland who have been told there is nothing that can be done,” he told reporters.
It is currently illegal to distribute such material, but there is no legislation prohibiting its creation. Frecklington described the current gap in legislation as a loophole.
“The increase in artificial intelligence and technology…we all need to make sure we keep up with it,” he said.
Under the proposed law, criminals would remain behind bars for up to three years.
The government will consult experts in the education, law, sexual violence and online safety sectors from April. The legislative process is aimed to start in the middle of the year.
Labor shadow minister Grace Grace said on Sunday the opposition “welcomed” the legislation and would consider its benefits.
“Because [of] Despite the changes in technology, it is important that we review the legislation and we are always open to that,” he told reporters in East Brisbane.
“We will look at this very calmly and methodically to ensure the laws are kept up to date.”
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