The European Parliament stands strong against the targeting of women by deepfake pornography websites that publish false and altered images of mainly female Members of the European Parliament.
Dear colleagues,
I must also inform you that I have been informed that some 60 Members from across the political spectrum have been targeted by deepfake pornography websites that publish false and altered images of mainly female Members.
I start by being categorical: Violence against women, online or offline, is intolerable and deplorable. This House stands against it with every measure available to it.
This is not only about the images, as disturbing as they are for all of us. This is about an attempt to target and prey upon elected politicians doing their duty.
It will fail: - Instead of humiliating us, this empowers us. - Instead of silencing us, this makes us louder. - Instead of scaring us, this makes us more determined.
This cannot be the new normal, and we will do everything in our power to prevent it.
From the second of December, ‘nudifier’ applications will be banned across the European Union. I am proud that the European Parliament pushed for this. But the law is not worth the paper it is written on unless it is enforced.
Member States must prepare now. They must enforce the ban, strengthen enforcement of the Digital Services Act and transpose our directive on combating violence against women, which criminalises the non-consensual public sharing of sexualised deepfakes.
We owe this to everyone targeted. And to every young woman watching, to every young woman embarking on a political path wondering whether there is a place for them in politics, and what the price must be.
Our answer must be clear. You belong here. Your voice belongs here. And we will stand with you.