DEEPFAKE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AS DIGITAL VIOLENCE: GENDERED HARM, PUBLIC FIGURES AND LEGAL CHALLENGES

This paper analyses the misuse of deepfake technology in producing non-consensual sexually
explicit content which mainly targets public figures. It argues that such practices constitute a
form of digital sexual violence, shifting exploitation from physical participation to synthetic
identity manipulation. This study examines factors such as data availability, platform virality
and perceived reduction in privacy that particularly makes public figures more vulnerable. It
further highlights the gendered nature of deepfake abuse, emphasizing its disproportionate
impact on women and its reinforcement of patriarchal norms. The paper evaluates the resulting
harms, including reputational damage, psychological trauma, and loss of identity control, while
also critiquing the role of social media platforms in amplifying such content. It concludes that
existing legal frameworks remain inadequate and calls for recognition of deepfake sexual
exploitation as a distinct legal harm.
Keywords: Deepfakes, Digital Sexual Violence, Non-Consensual Pornography, AI Ethics,
Cyber Law,