A public consultation on proposals to criminalise the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images of adults is closing soon, with the Department of Justice urging the public to submit their views before the deadline on Monday, 6 October 2025.

Justice Minister Naomi Long highlighted the urgency of the matter, noting an "exponential rise" in the proliferation of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake images. She stated that research shows these images are "overwhelmingly targeted at women and girls and are yet another form of sexual abuse and exploitation." Minister Long condemned the images, saying they "perpetuate, promote and normalise misogyny and the sexualisation of women," and that the resulting harm is "incalculable."

The consultation deals with a range of factors, including the offender's motivation and the sentences available to judges should the creation, sharing, and threatening to share of a sexually explicit deepfake image become criminal offences.

The proposed offences are designed to provide further protections, adding to measures already in place to protect people from sexually motivated behaviours and to tackle violence against women and girls.

Minister Long urged: "There is still time to respond to this extremely important consultation and help shape policy which would reduce the harm created by this despicable behaviour."