Cyber Crime or Technological Epidemic? Intersecting the Criminalization of Sexual Deepfake in Domestic and International Law

Researches on artificial intelligence (AI) usage primarily pivot to its positive utilization in different sectors while advanced AI tool like deepfake technology generating nudity and sexual photos or videos, however, got nominal academic attention.The study intends to address that vacuum examining the status of sexual deepfake in national and international legal spheres with a view to advocating the criminalization and penalization of sexual deepfake as a distinct offence.For portraying the importance of criminalizing sexual deepfake, the authors analyzed various examples of AI induced sexual violence, existing laws on deepfake, statutory actions for penalization, rationale behind criminalization, its challenges and solutions.A systematic literature review is done on deepfake, methods of deepfake detection and mitigation algorithms.The authors found no specific law on sexual deepfake either nationally or internationally.It is evident that existing cybersecurity, data protection or privacy laws are significantly insufficient to confront the boggling expansion of sexual deepfake.This lawlessness signifies the emerging threats and vulnerability of the victims of sexual deepfake.Formulating an International Covenant on the Protection from Artificial Intelligence Generated Violence would be one of the best safety gears to minimize the legislative vacuum in the global scenario as well as solving the statutory gaps of countries in determining the methods to control deepfake usage.Also, establishing deepfake detection and pornography detective website mechanism to check the sexual violence perpetuation might be a great help for initiating national level counter measures.Also, in addition to the regulatory mechanism, legal compliance, regulatory institutional estab-