Singapore authorities are preparing to bring into force legislation on Monday aimed at protecting citizens from online sexual abuse, including a ban on the use of artificial intelligence to generate non-consensual nude images.
The laws will also allow authorities to prosecute offenders suspected of approaching minors abroad and subsequently sexually abusing them, if either the offender or the victim travelled from the city-state before the offence was committed.
New offence for AI-generated content
The changes include "a new offence covering the production of personal images, including AI-generated material, without consent," Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs said on Friday.
Offenders face up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Where the material in question depicts a minor under the age of 14, "the offence carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of up to two years, and the offender will also be liable to a fine or caning," the Ministry said in a statement.
Tougher penalties for offences involving minors abroad
Those found guilty of approaching minors abroad and committing sexual offences against them will now face harsher penalties, including up to seven years' imprisonment where the victim is under 14.
Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs, Sim Ann, told Parliament last year that the legislation aims "both to reduce the barriers to enforcement and to reduce the supply of such [AI-generated] material, which contributes to a vicious cycle of abuse."
