UK bans AI 'nudification' apps; US probes federal deepfake rules

The UK government will make it a criminal offense to create or supply AI tools that produce non‑consensual nude deepfakes. The law takes effect on December 19, 2025. The change is part of the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy (see UK Parliament Hansard; Internet Watch Foundation release).

The package targets apps and services that synthetically produce nude images without consent and adds on‑device protections to safeguard children. The Internet Watch Foundation said the measures follow its campaign for a ban and stronger device safeguards. In the U.S., the Sentencing Commission is seeking public comment on classifying non‑consensual deepfake pornography under federal sentencing rules. That step could change criminal penalties and guideline ranges.

Expect platform takedowns, updated developer policies, and compliance reviews ahead of the UK effective date. If the U.S. consultation is adopted into guidelines, it would create parallel enforcement pressure on global app stores and AI tool providers.

Why It Matters

• Legal risk: Vendors that create or distribute non‑consensual “nudification” tools face criminal exposure in the UK from Dec 19, 2025; review contracts, distribution channels, and takedown procedures now.
• Platform operations: App stores, hosting providers, and moderation teams should update enforcement policies, detection rules, and automated takedown workflows for non‑consensual synthetic nudity.
• Product design: Implement or strengthen on‑device protections and age checks; document design and testing decisions to reduce liability.
• Global enforcement: A U.S. sentencing consultation could add federal penalties, increasing cross‑border enforcement and coordination needs for AI firms and app stores.