Top politicians were victims of deepfake pornography

An investigation has found that more than 30 UK politicians have been targeted by internet perverts.

Channel 4 News found more than 400 digitally-altered "deepfake" images of female politicians on a website dedicated to the degradation of women.

The victims include Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, and Conservative Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt.

Dehenna Davison, who stood down as a Conservative MP when the election was called, told the broadcaster that she found it “quite violating”.

And she warned that unless governments around the world put in place a proper regulatory framework for artificial intelligence tech, “major problems” loomed.

Labour backbencher Stella Creasy said she felt “sick” when she was told about the images and that “none of this is about sexual pleasure, it’s all about power and control”.

In April, CARE welcomed a plan to punish people who create deepfake sexual images and called for further measures to outlaw so-called 'nudification' apps.

A CARE spokeswoman said:

"The creation and sharing of deepfake images and videos of a sexual nature can have a profound impact on victims' mental health, relationships, and employment. This technology is even being weaponised to undermine the political process.

"We are calling for a ban on apps and sites that allow deepfakes to be created. Outlawing AI software used to create vile content must be part of the response to this harmful trend. Polling commissioned by CARE shows broad public support for such a move."