header-logo header-logo

Deepfakes: a new frontier in civil law?

121599
Liam Tolen & Chris Fotheringham ask whether the law can protect individuals from deepfake harms
  • Advocates for a legal framework to protect individuals exposed to non-consensual deepfakery.
  • Looks at the possibility of intellectual property and defamation laws being applied in civil claims.
  • Notes legislative steps have been made, with more on the way, but there are still no specific civil remedies made available for those affected by deepfake technology.

One of ITV’s recent TV releases, Deep Fake Neighbour Wars, a comedy show that sends up celebrities, has attracted hostile feedback from some quarters. The reason is its use of deepfake technology to put celebrity faces on actors’ bodies.

Whether it’s Adele driving a London bus, or Idris Elba arguing with Kim Kardashian over the garden fence, the technology creates a fairly convincing fake and therefore an effective spoof.

The show is a clear use of deepfake technology being shown in an amusing way; however, the technology itself can be

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

NLJ Career Profile: Hugo Plowman, Mishcon de Reya

NLJ Career Profile: Hugo Plowman, Mishcon de Reya

From global fraud cases to fishing off-grid, Mishcon de Reya’s chair of dispute resolution Hugo Plowman discusses mentors, management switching off

Maguire Family Law—Jennifer Hudec, Ciara Florey, Alice Ferguson & Ruth Wynn

Maguire Family Law—Jennifer Hudec, Ciara Florey, Alice Ferguson & Ruth Wynn

Maguire Family Law announces partner promotion and new hires amid a record year for enquiries

Switalskis—Rebecca Parry & Hannah Gamble

Switalskis—Rebecca Parry & Hannah Gamble

Switalskis wills and probate team extends reach with two appointments

NEWS
Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect
Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
back-to-top-scroll