Finding out that sexual images of you are spreading online can feel like the ground just dropped out from under you. When those images are fake but look real, the shock can feel even worse. You know you never agreed to this. Yet people may believe what they see on a screen more than what you tell them.
With easy AI tools, someone can pull a photo from your social media and turn it into a sexual deepfake in minutes. That might be a bully, a former partner, a co-worker, or a stranger. The result is not just a “prank.” It is a direct hit to your privacy, safety, and dignity.
As a law firm that represents survivors of sexual assault and serious personal injury, we are seeing more people facing this exact nightmare. Deepfake laws are starting to appear, but they are not always clear or strong enough. So what protection do survivors really have right now, especially here in California?
Deepfakes are images, videos, or audio clips that are changed or fully made by AI to look real. With non-consensual sexual deepfakes, someone takes your face or body and puts it into sexual content without your permission.
The result can be:
– Fake porn videos that show your face on someone else’s body
– Edited photos that make it look like you are nude
– Clips shared on social media with sexual captions or comments
Even when you know the content is fake, your body and brain may react like the abuse is real. You might feel ashamed or afraid to leave your home, sick thinking about who has seen the images, and worried about your job, school, or family relationships.
These harms often grow during late spring and early summer. It is graduation time, hiring season, and a period filled with parties, travel, and social posts. A deepfake released during these moments can damage your job or internship chances (especially when employers search your name), your professional reputation (including in tight-knit industries), college applications or scholarship opportunities, and relationships with partners, friends, and family.
Non-consensual deepfakes are part of a larger pattern of technology-based sexual abuse. The tools are new, but the behavior behind them is not. It is still about control, humiliation, and power.
Across the country, lawmakers are just beginning to respond to deepfakes. Many new rules focus on politics, like banning fake videos of candidates around elections. Some focus on scams, like fake celebrity ads. Everyday survivors of sexual image abuse are often an afterthought.
In California and other states, there are a few key gaps. Some revenge porn laws talk about “actual” images, not AI-created ones. Some statutes require proof that the abuser meant to cause harm. And some laws were built before AI deepfakes were common.
On top of that, there are practical problems:
– It can be hard to figure out who made the deepfake in the first place
– The person who created it may live in another state or another country
– Content spreads across many platforms faster than it can be removed
These gaps can leave survivors feeling ignored when they ask for help from platforms or police, confused about whether any law applies to what happened, and drained by slow or unclear responses that keep them stuck in trauma.
From our view in Glendale, hearing people describe how powerless they feel in the face of fake sexual content is heartbreaking. The technology moves fast. The law does not always keep up. But that does not mean survivors have no options.
Even when deepfake laws are not perfect, other legal paths may still protect you. Depending on the facts, survivors may be able to bring civil claims such as:
– Invasion of privacy, for exposing or fabricating sexual content
– Defamation, when the fake content harms reputation or career
– Intentional infliction of emotional distress, for outrageous conduct
– Stalking or harassment, if there is a pattern of threats or contact
– Certain cybercrimes, if hacking, extortion, or blackmail is involved
Possible remedies can include:
– Demands to remove content and preserve records of who posted it
– Takedown notices to social media platforms and hosting sites
– Restraining orders to keep an abuser from contacting or posting about you
– Civil lawsuits that seek money damages for emotional and other harm
– Working with law enforcement when criminal laws may apply
A law firm that handles sexual assault and serious personal injury cases can also help in several practical ways:
– Review screenshots, links, and messages for possible legal claims
– Coordinate with digital experts to trace sources and preserve evidence
– Sort out which state’s laws may apply and where a case can be filed
– Build a strategy that matches your goals, safety needs, and comfort level
No two deepfake cases are the same. Some survivors want quiet removal and safety planning. Others want to push for public accountability in court. The law should work for you, not the other way around.
If you discover non-consensual sexual deepfakes of yourself, try to slow down and protect your future options. Taking careful steps now can make a big difference later.
First, focus on evidence:
– Take clear screenshots of the content, usernames, and comments
– Copy and save the full URL of each post or page
– Write down dates, times, and platforms where you found the content
– Keep any threatening messages, emails, or DMs linked to the images
Avoid:
– Arguing with the person you suspect is behind it in public comments
– Posting about the deepfake in ways that spread it further
– Deleting your own accounts without first saving evidence
Think about digital safety:
– Tighten privacy settings on your accounts
– Search your name regularly to see if new content appears
– Use platform reporting tools for sexual or abusive content
– Consider asking trusted friends or family to help monitor posts
Just removing the images is not always enough. Survivors often need legal support to address past harm and stop future abuse, along with emotional support from therapists, counselors, or support groups.
You do not have to “tough it out” or handle this alone. Sexual deepfake abuse is real harm, and it is okay to treat it that way.
Non-consensual sexual deepfakes are not jokes, and they are not harmless internet drama. They are a form of sexual abuse that can change how you move through your life, online and offline. They deserve the same level of outrage and legal protection as other forms of sexual exploitation.
Lawmakers in different places are starting to propose stronger deepfake laws that:
– Focus on consent for sexual content that uses a person’s likeness
– Give survivors clearer rights to sue and recover damages
– Push tech companies to respond faster and keep better records
Those changes do not happen on their own. Survivor stories, public pressure, and legal action all play a part in shaping better rules.
At Dordulian Law Group, we have seen how powerful it can be when survivors are believed, supported, and given real legal options. Even while deepfake laws are still developing, there are often paths toward safety, accountability, and healing.
If you believe you have been targeted by a harmful or nonconsensual deepfake, we can help you understand how current deepfake laws apply to your situation and what options you have. Our team at Dordulian Law Group is ready to evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and pursue accountability from those responsible. Reach out to us to discuss your situation confidentially, or schedule a consultation through our contact page so we can start working on your behalf.
Author
"*" indicates required fields
