The UK government has launched a major new strategy aimed at tackling the scourge of deepfake abuse and cutting violence against women and girls in half within the next ten years. Announced by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, the plans include a specific ban on artificial intelligence tools designed to create fake nude images and videos without consent.
New Laws Target AI 'Nudification' Tools
Central to the cross-government strategy is new legislation that will explicitly prohibit the creation and distribution of so-called AI "nudification" apps. These tools, which use artificial intelligence to strip clothes from images of real people, have proliferated online, causing significant harm. Jess Phillips emphasised that these applications are "not harmless pranks" but instead have a devastating impact, particularly on the lives of young people.
The new laws will ensure that perpetrators who create or share such non-consensual deepfake content face tangible legal consequences. The announcement, made on Thursday 18 December 2025, marks a significant step in updating legal frameworks to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology-facilitated abuse.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy for Prevention and Support
Beyond the legal ban, the government's comprehensive approach includes several key preventative and supportive measures. In the education sector, the strategy mandates teaching about healthy relationships in all secondary schools. Furthermore, it will provide training for teachers to help them identify and address worrying behaviours among young men, aiming to tackle the root causes of misogyny and abuse.
On the front line of response, the plan involves deploying specialist rape and sexual offences investigators to every police force across the country. To support survivors, the government is also injecting a £19 million funding boost into providing safe housing for those fleeing domestic abuse.
Building a Safer Future
Minister Jess Phillips framed the announcement as a critical move to protect individuals from a deeply invasive form of technological abuse. By combining tough new laws on deepfake abuse with educational initiatives and enhanced support services, the government aims to create a robust defence against gender-based violence. The ambitious target of halving violence against women and girls within a decade underscores the scale of the commitment, positioning the fight against AI-facilitated abuse as a cornerstone of modern safeguarding policy.
