The Tasmanian government has announced plans to criminalize the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, including revenge porn and AI-generated deepfakes, to address rising rates of image-based sexual abuse.

Key Points

• Tasmania is the final Australian jurisdiction to introduce legislation specifically targeting non-consensual image sharing.
• The proposed laws cover various forms of abuse, including revenge porn and AI-generated deepfakes.
• Draft legislation is scheduled for public consultation by the end of this year.
• The reforms follow a high-profile incident involving deepfake images of 21 schoolgirls shared in a group chat.
• Advocates, including Engender Equality, are calling for tech companies to take greater responsibility for illegal content on their platforms.

Why it Matters

These reforms aim to close legal loopholes that have previously left victims without clear pathways to justice or police support. By establishing criminal consequences, the state intends to deter perpetrators and provide better protection for victims of digital sexual violence.