England: Sex offender banned from using generative AI

England: Sex offender banned from using generative AI

A sex offender has been banned from using generative AI tools in what is believed to be the first restriction of its kind in England and Wales.

Anthony Dover, 48, has been ordered not to “use, visit or access… AI creating tools”, including the image generation software Stable Diffusion, as part of a sexual harm prevention order imposed in February, The Observer reports.

The ban covers all kinds of generative AI, including text and image generation, and follows Dover’s conviction for making more than 1,000 indecent images of children.

It is not clear from media reports whether Dover’s offending involved AI-generated content.

The order does provide that Dover can use generative AI tools where he has obtained specific permission to do so from the police.

A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “Where we perceive there is an ongoing risk to children’s safety, we will ask the court to impose conditions, which may involve prohibiting use of certain technology.”

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