header-logo header-logo

Deepfakes: can’t believe your eyes?

122300
Oliver Lock outlines some possible legal routes to stop the misuse of deepfake technology
  • The legal industry and beyond are grappling with how to tackle deepfakes, a technology that is rapidly evolving and can have an insidious impact on reputation and credibility.
  • There are current legal routes available, from privacy laws in the UK to image rights in the US that are arguably fit for purpose to tackle deepfakes.
  • However, it will take the combination of legal, technical, and societal efforts to prevent the creation and spread of deepfakes for nefarious purposes.

Former US president Donald Trump was arrested in New York on 4 April. However, you may be forgiven for initially thinking that he had been arrested two weeks earlier when videos emerged online appearing to show Trump yelling at and fighting off NYPD officers or, in another, breaking free from police officers while Melania and Donald Trump Jr shout in protest of his arrest. These videos have been viewed many millions of times.

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll