We have seen a flood of deepfake sexual images generated by AI, often depicting children. As we know, Coco's Law criminalised the non-consensual recording or distribution of intimate images. However, it remains unclear whether the 2020 Act covers the creation of such images. It is important that the law keeps up with technology. In that context, the Government has been moving at snail's pace in many ways. We in Sinn Féin have three straightforward amendments to Coco's Law. One is to explicitly criminalise the non-consensual creation and generation of intimate images and videos using AI. The second is to extend the Statute of Limitations from two years to five for summary offences. The third is to increase the maximum penalties upon conviction. Government inaction has left a clear gap in the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. The recent Grok nudification scandal shows the consequences. A total of 85% of generated images were sexualised and during the Christmas period, an estimated 3 million sexualised images were produced, including 23,000 that appear to depict children. AI and big tech are really destroying the minds of a generation of children. That is quite shocking. We must do everything we can to stop it. In my constituency of Wicklow-Wexford, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence continues to rise. Sexual assaults rose by 44% in Wicklow and 120% in Wexford over the past two decades, so we need zero tolerance for violence against men, women and children, which is often related to such imagery. We must also ensure that An Garda Síochána has the personnel and resources to hold offenders to account and to ensure that social media companies face the full force of the law. This Bill will criminalise the non-consensual creation of intimate images through AI and strengthen penalties. We call on all TDs to support it.

Sentiment score: -0.09