AN OVERVIEW OF DEEP FAKE SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

AUTHORS – MS. SIDDIQ RISHWANA I. G* & MS.T. VAISHALI**

* V YEAR BCA LLB (HONS), THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY *

* ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION) THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – MS. SIDDIQ RISHWANA I. G & MS.T. VAISHALI, AN OVERVIEW OF DEEP FAKE SEXUAL HARRASSMENT, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (1) OF 2026, PG. 599-612, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT:

 The development of artificial intelligence has significantly transformed digital communication; however, it has also facilitated new forms of abuse, particularly through deepfake technology. Deepfake sexual harassment refers to the creation and circulation of manipulated or fabricated sexually explicit images, videos, or audio without the consent of the individual depicted. This form of abuse has emerged as a serious threat to personal dignity, privacy, and gender equality, with women being disproportionately targeted. The present study provides an overview of deepfake sexual harassment by examining its gendered impact, the nature of harm caused to victims, and the challenges it poses to existing criminal law frameworks in India.

Using a doctrinal and analytical research methodology, the study analyses statutory provisions, constitutional principles, judicial decisions, and scholarly literature. It argues that deepfake sexual harassment operates as a contemporary form of gender-based violence, frequently employed as a tool for revenge, blackmail, moral policing, and silencing women in public life. The research further highlights the severe psychological, social, and reputational harm suffered by victims, including mental trauma, social stigma, and long-term damage to personal and professional identity, which often persists even after content removal. The study critically evaluates the applicability of traditional principles of criminal liability and mens rea to AI-generated sexual abuse and identifies significant gaps in attributing responsibility to creators, distributors, and digital platforms. It concludes that existing Indian laws address deepfake sexual harassment only indirectly and are inadequate to deal with its unique and aggravated nature. The research emphasizes the urgent need for specific legal recognition, gender-sensitive reforms, and victim-centric mechanisms to effectively address deepfake sexual harassment in the digital age.