The Minns Government has passed new laws criminalising the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfakes, expanding New South Wales’ framework against image-based abuse to try and keep pace with advances in artificial intelligence.
As previously reported on InnovationAus.com, the Minns Government introduced its plan to outlaw sexually explicit deepfakes in August, noting the push aligns with action in other jurisdictions.
Amendments to the Crimes Act 1900 that passed this week make it an offence to produce a sexually explicit deepfake designed to depict a real person, with penalties of up to three years’ jail.
Sharing or threatening to share such material will carry the same penalty, with the laws extending to non-consensual, sexually explicit audio recordings created using AI.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the measures send a clear message that those targeting women with the technology face “serious consequences”.
Attorney General Michael Daley said the legislation ensures NSW laws “keep pace with rapidly evolving technology” and protects women from “AI-generated sexual exploitation.” Minister for Women Jodie Harrison described the reforms as another step toward building “a safer New South Wales for women and girls.”
The reforms follow growing concern about technology-facilitated abuse, including sextortion scams using fabricated content.
NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said the measures were significant in recognising the harm deepfakes can cause, while Full Stop Australia chief executive Karen Bevan welcomed the strengthened protections for victim-survivors.
The eSafety Commissioner has also moved against so-called “AI nudify” services, which digitally generate non-consensual explicit images from innocent photos.
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