“SYNTHETIC HARM, REAL CONSEQUENCES: DEEPFAKE SEXUAL ABUSE AND LEGAL INADEQUACIES IN INDIA”
AUTHOR – SHELLY TOMAR, STUDENT AT AMITY INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES(AIALS), NOIDA
BEST CITATION – SHELLY TOMAR, “SYNTHETIC HARM, REAL CONSEQUENCES: DEEPFAKE SEXUAL ABUSE AND LEGAL INADEQUACIES IN INDIA”, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (4) OF 2026, PG. 605-615, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
Introduction:
This Paper investigates the emerging phenomenon of deepfake sexual abuse as a variant of digital sexual violence, the interplay between technological availability, target vulnerability, and the absence of capable guardianship in facilitating these offenses. The research reveals a troubling correlation between the increasing accessibility of deepfake technologies and the surge in reported incidents of sexual abuse, underscoring a marked vulnerability among victims, particularly marginalized groups. Moreover, this study calls for interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare providers, law enforcement, and technologists to develop preventative measures and support systems, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive approach to addressing the repercussions of digital sexual violence. By illuminating the mechanisms that facilitate deepfake sexual abuse, the research emphasizes the necessity for policy reforms and educational initiatives aimed at reducing the vulnerabilities of potential targets and enhancing protective measures within digital environments.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies has given rise to deepfakes—synthetic media in which a person’s likeness is digitally altered or fabricated. While deepfake technology has legitimate applications, its misuse, particularly in the creation of non-consensual sexually explicit content, has emerged as a serious form of digital sexual abuse. Deepfake sexual abuse predominantly targets women and marginalized groups, infringing upon dignity, privacy, sexual autonomy, and psychological integrity. As advancements in technology increasingly permeate daily life, emerging digital threats such as deepfake sexual abuse have sparked significant scholarly and societal concern, marking a new frontier in the landscape of digital sexual violence. Deepfake technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence to create hyper-realistic but fabricated media, poses unique challenges that complicate traditional understandings of consent, personal integrity, and privacy in the digital sphere. This phenomenon has drastically transformed modes of harassment and abuse, as it facilitates the creation of unauthorized visual representations that can lead to significant psychological and emotional harm for victims[1]. Despite extensive discourse regarding the implications of digital sexual violence, there remains a glaring lack of comprehensive criminological analysis focusing on deepfake sexual abuse, particularly in understanding its prevalence, mechanisms, and victim experiences. The research problem central to this inquiry revolves around elucidating the criminological factors contributing to the rise of deepfake sexual abuse and how such offenses can be explained using Routine Activity Theory. This theoretical framework posits that crimes occur in the convergence of three essential elements: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and a lack of capable guardianship. Thus, this study will aim to determine how the elements of Routine Activity Theory intersect within the context of digital spaces, leading to the perpetration of deepfake sexual abuse.
[1] Setyowati RM, Setya Watie ED, ‘MUTED GROUP THEORY Anomalies in Online Gender‑Based Violence Experienced by Women Journalists’ (2024) 3(1) Journal of Social Research 279