New Zealand's Deepfake Bill Advances to Public Consultation Stage

• •The Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill aims to criminalize non-consensual deepfakes.
• •The bill has passed its first reading with unanimous support from New Zealand's Parliament.
• •Public submissions on the bill are open until June 19, 2026.

The Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill has passed its first reading in New Zealand's Parliament, aiming to criminalize non-consensual, sexually explicit deepfakes. The bill seeks to amend the Crimes Act and Harmful Digital Communications Act by redefining 'intimate visual recording' to include digitally altered images without consent. Proposed by ACT MP Laura McClure, the bill received unanimous support from all parties, highlighting the growing concern over deepfake technology's misuse. The public is invited to submit feedback on the bill until June 19, 2026. Critics have raised concerns about the bill's definitions and lack of consultation with disabled communities. The legislation aims to protect victims, primarily women, from identity theft and humiliation through deepfakes. The Justice Minister emphasized the need for a strong legal framework against such harassment.