NCW Calls for Criminal Law Against Deepfake Abuse: Supreme Court, High Courts Flag Rising Cyber Threats
Cases of AI-generated porn, fake political videos, and manipulated celebrity content highlight urgent need for legal clarity.
NCW urges Parliament to define deepfakes under law and impose strict penalties to protect women and public trust.
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: November 15, 2025:
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recommended a clear legal definition and penalties under criminal law to counter deepfake abuse in India. The recommendation comes amid rising cases of AI-generated manipulated content being used for harassment, misinformation, and exploitation.
Deepfakes—AI-generated manipulated videos or images—have been misused in several high-profile cases, including AI-generated pornographic content targeting women influencers (Delhi High Court case, 2025), cybercrime incidents in Karnataka where 12 deepfake cases were reported in two years, and gendered online abuse documented in reports by NGOs like Breakthrough India and Equality Now.
Deepfakes—synthetic media created using artificial intelligence—can convincingly alter videos, images, or audio to depict people saying or doing things they never did. While the technology has legitimated uses in entertainment and education, its misuse has sparked alarm across India’s judiciary, civil society, and law enforcement.
Background: NCW’s Recommendation
On November 14, 2025, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma stated that deepfake abuse has become a serious threat to women’s safety, privacy, and dignity. She emphasized that India’s criminal law currently lacks a specific definition of deepfakes, making prosecution difficult.
- A legal definition of deepfakes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
- Criminal penalties for creating, sharing, or possessing deepfake content without consent.
- Stricter monitoring of social media platforms to detect and remove deepfake content.
Common Examples of Deepfake Abuse in India
Several cases have highlighted the dangers of deepfakes:
1. Delhi High Court Deepfake Porn Case (2025)
- A woman social media influencer was targeted with AI-generated pornographic content.
- The Delhi High Court ordered platforms to take down the manipulated videos, calling them “deplorable” and a violation of fundamental rights.
2. Karnataka Cybercrime Reports (2023–2025)
- Karnataka Police registered 12 deepfake-related cases in two years.
- Victims included ordinary citizens and public figures.
- Infosys founder Narayana Murthy publicly warned against deepfake misuse after manipulated videos of him surfaced.
3. Gendered Online Abuse Report (2025)
- A study by Breakthrough India and Equality Now documented how deepfakes are used to harass women, especially targeting caste, class, and sexuality.
- Survivors reported fear, shame, and reluctance to approach authorities due to lack of trust.
4. Celebrity Deepfakes
- Bollywood actors and cricketers have been victims of manipulated videos circulated on social media.
- These often depict them endorsing products or making political statements they never made.
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5. Political Deepfakes
- Fake videos of politicians have been circulated during election campaigns, raising concerns about misinformation and voter manipulation.
Judicial and Legal Responses
Indian courts have increasingly recognized the threat posed by deepfakes:
- The Delhi High Court has issued injunctions against platforms hosting deepfake porn.
- The Supreme Court has flagged the dangers of AI misuse in spreading misinformation.
- Several High Courts have urged the government to frame specific laws to tackle deepfake abuse.
Currently, victims rely on provisions under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and sections of the IPC dealing with defamation, obscenity, and cybercrime. However, these laws do not explicitly cover deepfakes, leading to gaps in enforcement.
Broader Implications
- Women’s Safety: Deepfakes are increasingly used to target women with non-consensual sexual content.
- Democracy: Fake political videos can mislead voters and undermine trust in institutions.
- Economy: Businesses face reputational risks when celebrities are falsely depicted endorsing products.
- Technology Ethics: The misuse of AI raises questions about accountability and regulation.
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Expert Opinions
Cybersecurity experts argue that India urgently needs a legal framework to tackle deepfakes. “Without a clear definition, enforcement agencies struggle to prosecute offenders. Deepfakes are not just a privacy issue—they are a national security threat,” said a Delhi-based lawyer.
Women’s rights activists welcomed NCW’s recommendation, noting that deepfakes disproportionately affect women. “AI-generated sexual content is a new form of violence. Criminal law must recognize and punish it,” said an activist from Breakthrough India.
Conclusion
The NCW’s call for a legal definition and penalties for deepfake abuse marks a turning point in India’s fight against cybercrime. With courts already issuing injunctions and police reporting rising cases, the need for legislative clarity is urgent.
For women, the ruling offers hope of stronger protection. For society, it is a reminder that technology must serve humanity, not harm it. For lawmakers, it is a challenge to craft laws that balance innovation with accountability.
As India prepares to regulate AI and digital platforms, the fight against deepfakes will be central to safeguarding privacy, dignity, and democracy.
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