Did you know GLAMOUR is going to change the law? Or at least we're trying to – with the help of Cally Jane Beech, who has just been awarded Activist of the Year at GLAMOUR's Women of the Year Awards, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy Ring.
Earlier this year, Cally discovered that she had been a victim of deepfake abuse after digitally altered, sexually explicit images of her were circulating online. She powerfully opened up about her experience at GLAMOUR's parliamentary roundtable, in partnership with Greg Clarke – then-Conservative MP and Chair of the Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee – to explore what politicians and tech companies can do to stop deepfake abuse.
Cally had an essential role in the previous Conservative government's decision to criminalise the creation of non-consensual deepfake pornography. Her experience was included in the government's official announcement on the news. However, in the wake of the general election, the promise has been lost.
You can read Cally's acceptance speech for her GLAMOUR Activist of the Year award here:
“I stand here with deep gratitude, but also with a sense of purpose. Today, I want to shed light on a disturbing reality that has affected not only me, but many others in this digital age.
“Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to speak at the House of Commons at GLAMOUR’s parliamentary roundtable on deepfakes. In front of MPs, tech companies, and fellow survivors, I shared my personal story, a story I also want to share with you all tonight.
“My privacy, dignity, and identity were violated through the malicious use of AI. A simple photo of me was manipulated into a falsified, obscene image and spread online without my consent. Though I knew it wasn’t real, the violation felt devastating.
“When I spoke out on my deepfake, I was overwhelmed by messages from others who had faced the same abuse. One story that struck me deeply was of a 14-year-old schoolgirl whose manipulated images were used to bully her. As a mother, this hit me hard. It made me realise this issue is much bigger than just me – it’s about protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
“Removing the image was far harder than I expected. The platform was slow to act, the police were limited in what action they could take and I learned that current laws don’t fully address AI-generated content. But despite the emotional toll, I didn’t give up and, eventually, the image was taken down.
“This experience has taught me that the damage from AI deepfakes goes far beyond embarrassment. They can destroy careers, relationships, and futures. Women, especially young girls, are particularly vulnerable.
“With the platform I’ve been given, I feel a deep responsibility to raise awareness and fight for change. We cannot allow technology to violate our privacy and dignity. We need stronger laws and more accountability.
“This honour strengthens me to continue fighting for a safer online world, not just for my daughter, but for all women. That’s why I am proud to support GLAMOUR’s campaign with the End Violence Against Women Coalition, Not Your Porn and Professor Clare McGlynn. Together, we are pushing for laws that protect us from image-based abuse.”
For more from Glamour UK's Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.
Cally Jane Beech reflects on her deepfaking ordeal (and how to prevent it from happening to anyone else)
