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Tag: UK government

  • UK government announces deepfake detection initiative with Microsoft – Tech Digest

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    The UK government has announced a collaboration with Microsoft and top academics to build a robust defence against the skyrocketing threat of deepfakes.

    This new initiative centres on developing a standardized evaluation framework designed to identify critical gaps in deepfake detection.

    By testing current technologies against real-world threats – including fraud, impersonation, and non-consensual sexual abuse – the government aims to establish clear benchmarks for the tech industry to meet.

    The urgency of the project is underscored by staggering growth in synthetic media. Official figures reveal that an estimated eight million deepfakes were shared in 2025 alone, a massive jump from just 500,000 two years prior.

    Criminals are increasingly using these AI-generated images and audio to defraud the public, often targeting vulnerable individuals with sophisticated scams.

    Beyond individual fraud, the initiative seeks to protect national security and public trust. Last week, the Home Office funded a “Deepfake Detection Challenge” hosted by Microsoft, where over 350 experts from INTERPOL and the “Five Eyes” intelligence community were tasked with identifying manipulated media in high-pressure scenarios involving election security and organized crime.

    “Deepfakes are being weaponised by criminals to defraud the public, exploit women and girls, and undermine trust in what we see and hear,” says Tech Secretary Liz Kendall. “The UK is leading the global fight against deepfake abuse, and those who seek to deceive and harm others will have nowhere to hide.”

    Consumer advocates have welcomed the move but are calling for faster regulatory enforcement to protect people from financial ruin. Adds Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy:

    “The UK is in the grips of a scam epidemic – social media platforms are littered with convincing deepfakes designed to con people into parting with their hard-earned cash.

    “Under the Online Safety Act, platforms have duties to detect and remove fraudulent content, including deepfake scams, and the government’s plan to develop a standard for identifying deepfakes could help them do this.

    “For this new initiative to work, Ofcom should not hesitate to take action – including robust fines – against companies who aren’t playing their part. Many deepfakes feature in paid-for scam ads.”

    The framework is part of a broader legislative push that includes criminalizing the creation of non-consensual intimate deepfakes and banning the “nudification” tools that facilitate such abuse.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-leads-global-fight-against-deepfake-threats


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  • UK consults on social media ban for under-16s – Tech Digest

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    The UK government has launched a consultation to determine if social media should be banned for Under-16s.

    It comes after more than 60 Labour MPs wrote to the prime minister about the issue, with the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey also calling on the government to act.

    This potential move follows Australia’s landmark decision in December 2025 to implement the world’s first such ban, sparking a global debate on child safety online.

    Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized that the government is “determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them.”

    As part of a broader crackdown, immediate action will allow Ofsted to inspect school phone policies, with the expectation that schools become “phone-free by default.”

    Support for the ban

    Proponents for the ban argue that drastic measures are necessary to protect vulnerable youth. Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, strongly advocates for the ban, stating that social media limited her daughter’s ability to engage in real-world interactions.

    Political support is also strong, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asserting her party would have already introduced such a measure.

    Education unions, including the National Education Union (NEU) and the Association of School and College Leaders, have welcomed the consultation. NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede noted that social media often pulls children into “isolating, endless loops of content” long before they reach their GCSEs.

    14-year-old Molly Russell took her own life after viewing thousands of images online promoting suicide and self-harm


    Opposition and concerns

    However, a significant coalition of 42 organizations, including the NSPCC and the Molly Rose Foundation, argues that a blanket ban is the “wrong solution.” They warn it could create a “false sense of safety” and drive children toward even more dangerous, unmonitored areas of the internet.

    Experts, including Professor Amy Orben of the University of Cambridge, point out that there is currently “not strong evidence” that age-based bans are effective. Instead, critics suggest focusing on reducing algorithm-driven exposure to harmful content and improving digital literacy.

    The government is expected to respond to the consultation findings this summer.


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  • Police warning ahead of pro-Palestine protest

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    Police have warned protestors attending a demonstration in Edinburgh that officers will uphold the law if there is visible or vocal support of Palestine Action.

    The group was banned by the UK government under terrorism laws earlier this year.

    The organisers, who are demanding an end to UK arms sales to Israel, said they expected thousands of people to take part.

    Police said their approach would be proportionate but warned it was an offence to show support for Palestine Action.

    Palestine Action was proscribed as a terror group earlier this year after activists broke into an RAF base.

    Hundreds of people have since been arrested over alleged support for the group.

    Police said they recognised demonstrations were a “legitimate, necessary and vital part of life” [Getty Images]

    Former First Minister Humza Yousaf recently called for Scotland’s top law officer to exempt peaceful protesters who backed Palestine Action from prosecution.

    He said it was not in the public interest to prosecute non-violent individuals who expressed support for the organisation.

    However, the Solicitor General for Scotland Ruth Charteris rejected the request on behalf of Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain.

    Ahead of the the demonstration in Edinburgh – one of a number of protests planned this weekend across the country over a range of issues – police put out a statement outlining how they handled such events.

    “Campaigning and demonstration are a legitimate, necessary and vital part of life,” it said.

    “We want to protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest and counter protest.”

    ‘Strong feelings’

    The force added that officers worked with groups to ensure they understood what could be done without breaking the law.

    “We are proud of our approach and feel it’s important to be clear on what becomes unlawful behaviour,” it added.

    “Abusive, threatening behaviour or activity intended to disrupt an event that poses a risk to safety is not legitimate protest.”

    The statement added that police were aware there had been a recent focus on the proscription of Palestine Action and stressed that decision had been taken by the UK government.

    “We know there are strong feelings towards the situation in Palestine and people continue to express their views about that through protest and demonstrations without breaking counter terrorism laws,” it said.

    “The key difference is showing support for Palestine Action Group as it is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 to be a member of a proscribed organisation or to invite or express support for them.

    “This includes wearing clothing or carrying any item in public in such a way as to arouse suspicion that they are a member of, or a supporter of, a proscribed organisation.”

    It added that any police response would be “proportionate” and they were grateful for the “ongoing support” of communities.

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