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Creating AI Deepfakes of Real People to Be Made Illegal in Queensland

The Sydney Morning Herald

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Date Published
12 Apr 2026
Priority Score
2
Australian
Yes
Created
12 Apr 2026, 08:00 am

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Offenders would face up to three years under the proposed legislation, which could be passed in the middle of this year.

Summary

The Queensland government has announced plans to criminalise the creation of sexually explicit AI deepfakes without consent, closing a legal loophole that currently only prohibits the distribution of such material. Proposed legislation includes penalties of up to three years' imprisonment, reflecting a growing regulatory focus on the weaponisation of synthetic media against individuals. While the bill primarily addresses immediate harms like cyberbullying and image-based abuse, it represents a significant domestic policy adjustment to the proliferation of frontier generative AI capabilities in Australia. This move signals a commitment to evolving Australian criminal frameworks to mitigate societal risks posed by accessible AI tools.

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AdvertisementCreating sexually explicit deepfake AI images of real people without their consent will be outlawed in Queensland.Attorney General Deb Frecklington announced the plan for new legislation at Parliament House on Sunday.“This is for the people who have had their images weaponised against them, for the teachers who’ve been subjected to heinous cyberbullying, and for the victims across Queensland who have been told there is nothing that can be done,” she told reporters.Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington unveiled the new legislation on Sunday.Matt DennienIt is presently illegal to distribute such material, but there is no legislation prohibiting creation. Frecklington described the existing gap in legislation as a loophole.Advertisement“AI and the increase in the technology … we all need to make sure we’re keeping pace with it,” she said.Under the proposed law, offenders would face up to three years behind bars.The government will consult experts in the education, legal, sexual violence and online safety sectors from April. It aims to begin the legislative process midyear.Labor shadow minister Grace Grace said on Sunday the opposition “welcomed” the legislation and would consider its merits.“Because [of] the changes in technology, it is important that we review legislation and we’re always open to that,” she told reporters in East Brisbane.Advertisement“We will look at that in a very calm and methodical way, to ensure of course that laws are kept up to date.”Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.SaveYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.ShareLicense this articleMore:Queensland governmentAICyber bullyingCrimeLNPALPDeb FrecklingtonGrace GraceWilliam Davis is a reporter at Brisbane Times.Connect via email.AdvertisementAdvertisement