The UK is currently using a combination of existing laws and new digital safety rules to tackle the problem of AI deepfakes during elections. Rather than creating one single new law just for deepfakes, the government relies on several established frameworks to ensure developers and platforms are held accountable.
The Online Safety Act is a major part of this approach. It gives the regulator Ofcom the power to require social media companies to remove illegal content, which includes certain types of harmful deepfakes used to manipulate voters. This puts the responsibility on the platforms to moderate the content effectively.
Additionally, the Information Commissioner's Office handles issues related to data privacy. If deepfakes are created using your personal data without permission, they may violate UK GDPR rules. Finally, existing laws regarding electoral fraud and malicious communications are used to prosecute individuals who use AI to spread disinformation to disrupt democratic processes.
While the landscape is constantly evolving as technology advances, the current strategy focuses on making tech companies more responsible for the content they host and ensuring that data privacy rights are strictly protected during sensitive election periods.
