To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any discussions she has had with the (i) UK Government; and (ii) other devolved administrations in relation to cross-jurisdictional efforts to address Artificial Intelligence-generated misinformation and deepfake technology.

I recognise the significant harm and distress that can be caused by the use of deepfake technology, both in terms of disinformation and also in the creation of deepfake sexual imagery. It can destroy victims’ lives.

Telecommunications and internet legislation are reserved matters. However, online safety is also a cross-cutting issue where a holistic approach needs to be taken to address the issue more widely. This is demonstrated in the Executive’s Online Safety Strategy which has been established to assist children and young people to participate in the online world in a positive, safe and responsible way.

Where responsibility falls to my Department, I am committed to strengthening our laws to further protect our community from abusive and fraudulent behaviours facilitated by deepfake technology. I continue to consider all opportunities available to me to do so, including both through the extension of UK Government legislation and through Assembly legislation.

I have been in contact with the UK Government on a range of related proposals intended for its upcoming Crime and Policing Bill to explore where these may be extended to Northern Ireland, subject to the agreement of the Assembly. I understand my Scottish Government counterparts have a similar interest in extension of particular proposals.

This had included a proposal to introduce a new offence of creating a sexually explicit deepfake image without consent, which I was keen to extend to Northern Ireland. However, this proposal has since been brought forward for England and Wales by way of an amendment to the current Data (Access and Use) Bill, tabled by the UK Government on 22 January 2025.

As we were not made aware of this change of plan by the UK Government in advance, I am now considering the options available for Northern Ireland, and I remain committed to strengthening the protection for victims of deepfake imagery. I continue to work with counterparts on other aspects of the Bill of particular interest to Northern Ireland.