UK partners with Microsoft to set new global standard in deepfake detection and online safety

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1. https://www.varindia.com/news/uk-partners-microsoft-to-tackle-rising-deepfake-threats - Please view link - unable to able to access data
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-leads-global-fight-against-deepfake-threats - The UK government has partnered with Microsoft and other leading technology companies to develop a deepfake detection evaluation framework. This initiative aims to establish consistent standards for assessing deepfake detection tools and technologies, positioning the UK as a global leader in tackling harmful and deceptive deepfake content. The framework will evaluate how technology can be used to assess, understand, and detect harmful deepfake materials, regardless of their source. By testing leading deepfake detection technologies against real-world threats like sexual abuse, fraud, and impersonation, the government and law enforcement will have better knowledge than ever before on where gaps in detection remain. Once the testing framework is established, it will be used to set clear expectations for industries on deepfake detection standards. In 2025 alone, 8,000,000 deepfakes are estimated to have been shared, up from 500,000 in 2023. Every person in the UK faces growing risk from harmful deepfakes – AI-generated fake images, videos, and audio designed to deceive. These materials are often being used by criminals to deceptively steal money, strip away the dignity of women and girls, and spread harmful content online. Criminals are already using this technology to impersonate celebrities, family members, and trusted political figures in sophisticated scams, with tools to create convincing fake content being cheaper and more widely available than ever before, and little to no technical expertise required. Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said: "A grandmother deceived by a fake video of her grandchild. A young woman whose image is manipulated without consent." This work forms part of the government’s Plan for Change commitment to make Britain’s streets and communities safer, ensuring people are protected from evolving threats both online and offline. We have fast-tracked work to bring into force legislation making illegal for anyone to create or request deepfake intimate images of adults without consent, which will become law tomorrow. Already, we have brought forward to criminalise the creation of non-consensual intimate images, including sexually explicit deepfakes. The DSIT Secretary of State also announced that we are taking action to designate this offence as a priority under the Online Safety Act, meaning platforms can be required to take proactive steps to prevent it from happening in the first place, not just react after the harm is done. Further measures will ban ‘nudification’ tools, criminalising those who design and supply them. These actions form part of this government’s ambition to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/innovating-to-detect-deepfakes-and-protect-the-public - The UK government is collaborating with Microsoft and other leading technology companies to develop a deepfake detection evaluation framework. This initiative aims to establish consistent standards for assessing deepfake detection tools and technologies, positioning the UK as a global leader in tackling harmful and deceptive deepfake content. The framework will evaluate how technology can be used to assess, understand, and detect harmful deepfake materials, regardless of their source. By testing leading deepfake detection technologies against real-world threats like sexual abuse, fraud, and impersonation, the government and law enforcement will have better knowledge than ever before on where gaps in detection remain. Once the testing framework is established, it will be used to set clear expectations for industries on deepfake detection standards. In 2025 alone, 8,000,000 deepfakes are estimated to have been shared, up from 500,000 in 2023. Every person in the UK faces growing risk from harmful deepfakes – AI-generated fake images, videos, and audio designed to deceive. These materials are often being used by criminals to deceptively steal money, strip away the dignity of women and girls, and spread harmful content online. Criminals are already using this technology to impersonate celebrities, family members, and trusted political figures in sophisticated scams, with tools to create convincing fake content being cheaper and more widely available than ever before, and little to no technical expertise required. Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said: "A grandmother deceived by a fake video of her grandchild. A young woman whose image is manipulated without consent." This work forms part of the government’s Plan for Change commitment to make Britain’s streets and communities safer, ensuring people are protected from evolving threats both online and offline. We have fast-tracked work to bring into force legislation making illegal for anyone to create or request deepfake intimate images of adults without consent, which will become law tomorrow. Already, we have brought forward to criminalise the creation of non-consensual intimate images, including sexually explicit deepfakes. The DSIT Secretary of State also announced that we are taking action to designate this offence as a priority under the Online Safety Act, meaning platforms can be required to take proactive steps to prevent it from happening in the first place, not just react after the harm is done. Further measures will ban ‘nudification’ tools, criminalising those who design and supply them. These actions form part of this government’s ambition to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.
4. https://www.itv.com/news/2026-02-06/what-is-the-uks-new-deepfake-detection-plan-and-how-will-it-work - The UK government has announced plans to work with tech giants, including Microsoft, on a "world-first" deepfake detection initiative. The Home Office said the framework would explore how technology can recognise and assess deepfakes and "set clear expectations" for industry detection standards. Collaboration between the Government, technology firms, academics, and experts will underpin the development of the plan. Minister for safeguarding Jess Phillips said the technology "did not discriminate". "The devastation of being deepfaked without consent or knowledge is unmatched, and I have experienced it first hand," she said. "For the first time, this framework will take the injustice faced by millions to seek out the tactics of vile criminals, and close loopholes to stop them in their tracks so they have nowhere to hide. Ultimately, it is time to hold the technology industry to account, and protect our public, who should not be living in fear."
5. https://www.livemint.com/technology/britain-to-work-with-microsoft-to-build-deepfake-detection-system-11770281062568.html - The UK government has partnered with Microsoft to develop a deepfake detection evaluation framework aimed at countering the growing misuse of AI-generated content. The initiative was announced by the Home Office as part of its broader efforts to address digital fraud and online abuse. The proposed framework will bring together experts from leading technology firms and academia to assess how advanced technologies can be used to identify, analyse, and decode deepfake content more effectively. A key objective of the project is to establish industry-wide standards for deepfake detection, helping organizations and platforms respond more consistently and reliably to emerging threats. UK Tech Secretary Liz Kendall warned that deepfakes are increasingly being weaponised by criminals to defraud the public, exploit women and girls, and erode trust in digital media and information. According to the Home Office, the scale of the problem is escalating rapidly. An estimated eight million deepfake videos were shared in 2025, a sharp rise from just 500,000 in 2023. In 2024, deepfakes impersonating Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William were reportedly used in cryptocurrency scams. As part of its response, the UK government has made the creation and sharing of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfakes a criminal offence. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), welcomed the move but stressed that responsibility should not fall solely on victims, urging platforms to take stronger action. Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said the framework aims to expose criminal tactics, close regulatory loopholes, and hold technology companies accountable. The move comes amid global concern, with countries like Singapore also warning businesses about a rise in corporate deepfake scams impersonating senior executives.
6. https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2026/government/uk-picks-microsoft-to-help-develop-deepfake-detection-system - The UK government has partnered with Microsoft to develop a deepfake detection evaluation framework aimed at countering the growing misuse of AI-generated content. The initiative was announced by the Home Office as part of its broader efforts to address digital fraud and online abuse. The proposed framework will bring together experts from leading technology firms and academia to assess how advanced technologies can be used to identify, analyse, and decode deepfake content more effectively. A key objective of the project is to establish industry-wide standards for deepfake detection, helping organizations and platforms respond more consistently and reliably to emerging threats. UK Tech Secretary Liz Kendall warned that deepfakes are increasingly being weaponised by criminals to defraud the public, exploit women and girls, and erode trust in digital media and information. According to the Home Office, the scale of the problem is escalating rapidly. An estimated eight million deepfake videos were shared in 2025, a sharp rise from just 500,000 in 2023. In 2024, deepfakes impersonating Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William were reportedly used in cryptocurrency scams. As part of its response, the UK government has made the creation and sharing of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfakes a criminal offence. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), welcomed the move but stressed that responsibility should not fall solely on victims, urging platforms to take stronger action. Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said the framework aims to expose criminal tactics, close regulatory loopholes, and hold technology companies accountable. The move comes amid global concern, with countries like Singapore also warning businesses about a rise in corporate deepfake scams impersonating senior executives.