Deepfake Harassment Against Women: Indian Laws Explained
Deepfake harassment can be particularly harmful when manipulated intimate or sexual images are used to target a woman, impersonate her, threaten her or damage her reputation. The applicable legal provisions depend on the specific conduct.
Identity theft and impersonation
Information Technology Act Section 66C addresses identity theft, while Section 66D addresses cheating by personation using a computer resource. These provisions may be relevant in appropriate cases involving misuse of another person’s identity. citeturn0search1turn0search3
Privacy
Section 66E addresses specified violations of privacy involving images of a person’s private area without consent in circumstances violating privacy. citeturn0search24
Obscene or sexually explicit electronic material
Sections 67 and 67A address specified categories of obscene and sexually explicit electronic material in electronic form. Whether these sections apply to a particular AI-generated image depends on the facts and the statutory requirements. citeturn0search1
How should a victim respond?
- Preserve screenshots, URLs and account information.
- Keep the original photograph used in the deepfake, if available.
- Report the content to the relevant platform.
- Consider a cybercrime complaint through the official portal.
- Seek legal advice about further police or legal proceedings.
Cybercrime reporting
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal provides reporting routes for online and social-media crimes and a facility to report suspect identifiers. citeturn0search6turn0search16
SPG Legal Consultancy can assist women facing deepfake harassment with evidence organisation, complaint preparation and legal guidance.
Need Legal Assistance?
If you are facing deepfake harassment, AI-generated intimate images, blackmail, impersonation or online abuse, consider taking prompt legal advice. SPG Legal Consultancy can assist with evidence review, cybercrime complaint preparation and legal strategy.
Legal disclaimer: This content is for general information and is not a substitute for case-specific legal advice. The applicability of any law depends on the facts and evidence. No particular FIR registration, arrest, content removal, investigation result or case outcome can be guaranteed.