Deepfake bill passes first reading in Parliament

New Zealand’s Parliament passed the Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill at its first reading, marking a significant step toward criminalizing non-consensual, sexually explicit deepfakes. The bill, proposed by ACT MP Laura McClure, expands the definition of 'intimate visual recording' under the Crimes Act and Harmful Digital Communications Act to include AI-generated or altered images depicting a person in intimate contexts without consent. Debate on the bill began on April 29 but resumed on May 1 after a delay due to Member’s Day conventions. McClure cited a legal gap in current laws, emphasizing that victims and their families had struggled with inadequate protections. She stressed the bill would not target satire, art, or legitimate AI uses but would focus on fabricated images purporting to show real, identifiable individuals in explicit situations, causing severe harm. The bill passed with unanimous support across all political parties. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith welcomed the legislation, aligning it with upcoming stalking laws and emphasizing zero tolerance for such harassment, particularly against women. Labour MP Camilla Belich and Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke highlighted the need for laws to adapt to rapidly evolving technology and its risks. McClure revealed the bill originated after two young women approached her about being victims of deepfakes. Since then, she received numerous emails from others, mostly women, facing similar experiences. She warned that while some young people might view deepfaking as harmless, it constitutes a serious crime, with every parliamentary party agreeing it should be illegal. The bill will now proceed to the Social Services Committee for further consideration and public submissions before potential enactment.