Is Deepfake Porn Illegal? Let’s Find Out!

That’s not often the first question that victims of deepfake porn ask.

As a clinical psychiatrist, when I meet victims of deepfake porn, they are in shock. 

Their first question is, how is it even possible—they just can’t make sense of how their face ended up in a porn video? They are scared—what will my family think? What will my colleagues think about me?

Yet, understanding the legal landscape around deepfake porn is an important part of recovery. Because when you know your legal options, it gives you back your agency and control that is violated by deepfake porn. 

So, let’s answer both the questions—what to do when your image is misused in deepfake porn? And what protections does law offer to the victims of deepfake porn?

What Is Deepfake Pornography? 

Deep—Deep learning (a type of AI technology)

Fake—Not real

Deepfake porn is pornography created using machine learning or AI. 

In deepfake porn, AI is used to put a person’s face onto a porn actor’s body, depicting them in a sexual act. It looks very realistic—so many people end up believing that the person whose face is there in the video actually participated in the sexual act. In reality, deepfake is often done without the victim’s consent. 

Is AI porn real? No, but it can have devastating real-life consequences. 

In 2019 itself, Sensity (a company that detects and monitors deepfakes) revealed the shocking statistics—96% of deepfakes were non-consensual, and 99% of deepfake victims were women. 

Another US survey showed that victims of deepfakes felt that their privacy and autonomy were severely violated. Shock and humiliation are also a common experience for the victims. 

Deepfakes also cause reputational damage that affects relationships and careers and can cause irreversible damage to the lives of the victims. 

Is Deepfake Pornography Illegal? 

Is deepfake porn illegal? Yes.

In April 2025, the congress passed the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act. The law prohibits the publishing of non-consensual sexual images—including deepfakes or digital forgeries. 

Are Deepfakes Illegal to Watch? 

Is deepfake porn legal to watch?

If the content of the deepfake porn is legal, then simply watching it is not considered a crime. But, if the content of the deepfake porn is illegal—for example, if the porn has minors—then even watching or possessing deepfake porn is a crime. 

Challenges of Prosecuting Deepfake Pornography Cases 

Creators of deepfake porn are usually anonymous online users. They also use complex technology for hiding their identity. So, identifying the creators and distributors is a tough task.

Let’s say there is a victim of a deepfake porn video. Prosecutors have to prove that the creator of the video wanted to harm the victim. The offenders often claim that the videos were made just for fun or just for sexual arousal and did not mean to harm the victim.

Deepfake technology is also used in entertainment and satire, which is considered a legitimate use under freedom of speech. So, it adds another layer of complication. 

Deepfake Laws at the Federal Level 

Is deepfake porn illegal at the federal level? Yes. 

The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act of 2025 makes it illegal to knowingly publish non-consensual deepfakes. Here are the specifics of the law: 

1. Digital Forgeries

The TAKE IT DOWN Act covers non-consensual deepfake images (and refers to them as “digital forgeries”) of a person on covered platforms, including websites or apps.

The law defines a digital forgery as any intimate image of an identifiable person that was created or altered using AI or similar technology. 

2. Rapid Takedown System 

The Act establishes a notice-and-demand process. The websites and apps covered by the act should set up a rapid takedown system for such non-consensual content. 

For example, if a person reports that their image is there on the site without their consent, then the website has to take it down within 48 hours. If the site fails to take it down, then the victim can sue them under the Act. 

3. Images of Adults vs. Children

1. Adults—The prosecutor must prove that the creator wanted to harm the victim’s financial, reputational, or psychological well-being. 
2. Minors—Generally considers any sexual depiction of minors as a crime. 

4. Criminal Penalties Under the TAKE IT DOWN Act

1. 18 months to 3 years of federal prison sentence. 
2. Penalties might exceed $50,000 per violation.
3. Threatening to post deepfakes for extortion is also considered a felony under the Act. 

5. Civil Remedies for Deepfake Pornography

The new federal TAKE IT DOWN Act has provisions for civic remedies. 

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2022 creates scope for a private right of action for victims of non-consensual porn. So, a person can sue for damages or an injunction. 

PS: The VAWA does not expressly cover deepfakes—so its scope is limited when it comes to answering the question, “Is AI porn illegal?”

State Crimes for Non-Consensual Posting of Deepfake Pornography

Here are some examples of state laws regarding is deepfake porn illegal:

What to do If You Are the Victim of Deepfake Porn?

A key component for answering the question is deepfake porn is illegal is understanding the options of the victims. 

As a clinical psychiatrist, when I meet a victim of deepfake porn, I often find that their humiliation and violation are quite real. They know that it’s fake, but it is still disorienting and causes trauma.

A victim of deepfake porn put it as, “As soon as you see them, your mind shifts like from saying “Ohh. That’s not my body why should I care” to –“Was I just? …Did I do that? Do people have this of me?”

Is deepfake porn legal? NO. Here is what you should do immediately if you find that you have become a target of deepfake porn:

1. Document & Preserve Evidence

The shock of coming across deepfake porn can make you panic into erasing everything. Take a deep breath and stop. Instead,

1. Take screenshots and download the fake video
2. Take screenshots of any post, message, or discussion thread where your video is posted.
3. Save any URLs or timestamps related to the video. 

PS: In case the content has minors, DO NOT download the video. Immediately contact an attorney or authorities. 

2. Find Out the Scope

The offenders often spread deepfake videos across multiple websites. Use reverse image search or Google Alerts on your name to find out where all your video is posted. 

Seek Support From Family, Friends, or Professionals

I could not stress this more. Don’t let the deepfake shame you into isolation. Seek support from your friends and family. Getting support from a professional therapist or a psychiatrist is also highly recommended.

How to take your video down?

Is deepfake porn illegal? Yes, and here is what the victims can legally do to take their deepfake video down:

1. Report the Content to the Website 

Most platforms have reporting tools for non-consensual porn. Report the content to the website and ask them to take it down. (If a site demands money to take down the video, it’s a scam and extortion—beware!)

2. Hire an Attorney

Get help from an experienced content removal attorney to send a formal takedown request to the website. 

3. Send a Copyright Notice

Has the offender used a copyrighted image of yours? For example, a photo you took? Then you can ask for the content to be taken down by sending a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) Takedown Notice. 

4. Nonconsensual Porn Removal Request

Websites and search engines offer tools for submitting nonconsensual porn removal requests. 

For example, Google has a dedicated revenge-porn portal where you can ask it to de-index your image. Although this does not remove the image, your image will not appear in searches anymore. 

You can also file the non-consensual porn report with any social media where your deepfake is posted. 

5. Request De-Indexing from Search Engines

Search engines like Google and Bing let you request them to de-index specific URLs (images/videos) by reporting nude or explicit content. 

6. Report to Law Enforcement

Contact the local police or sheriff’s office and submit the proof you have gathered. This is an important step to do even if you don’t know who posted your deepfake. 

7. File a Lawsuit 

If you know who posted your video, you can file a civil suit and also obtain a court order compelling removal. 

For example, in a notable case, the jury awarded $50,000 to rapper Megan Thee Stallion under Florida’s deepfake law. 

How to Stop Watching Deepfake Porn 

The desire to stop watching deepfake porn is not about is deepfake porn illegal. 

While watching the deepfake porn, you might feel that it’s harmless because no real people are involved. But the deepfake porn still contributes to the overall porn industry. Also, all types of porn can be similarly addictive for the user. 

Here is how to stop watching deepfake porn: 

1. Limit the Access

When deepfake porn is so conveniently available on your phone, you are just going to watch it. You will not stop to think, is AI porn illegal, or is it harmful? 

How to limit this easy access? Use a porn blocker like BlockP to block deepfake porn on your phone and computer. 

2. Build Accountability 

Tell a trusted friend or a family member about your struggle and check in with them regularly. 

Another effective option is to add them as your accountability partner on BlockP. As your accountability partner, they can:

1. Set up the app and lock it so that you cannot change the settings or uninstall the porn blocker.
2. Get a notification if you try to access porn. They won’t be able to see what you are browsing, so you don’t have to worry about privacy.

3. Replace Porn

When you are addicted to watching porn in general or deepfake porn, it just sucks in all your attention, energy, and time. When you stop watching it, you have this energy and time available to you again.

Find hobbies (reading, music), get into physical activity (sports, exercise), spend more time socializing, or join a course to learn a new skill.

4. Get Help

Don’t be ashamed if you are addicted to watching deepfake porn. Get help from a professional therapist or a counselor. 

You can also join support groups like Sex Addicts Anonymous to connect with others who are trying to recover. Another good option is communities on online forums like BlockP’s communities on Reddit and Discord. 

How BlockP help in Blocking Deepfake Porn 

If you are trying to quit porn addiction, then blocking deepfake porn is, of course, the first step. More than that, when you block deepfake porn, it keeps you safe from legal risks like accidentally possessing or sharing porn featuring minors or non-consensual porn. 

BlockP is the best free porn blocker for blocking pornography on your phone and computer. Here’s how BlockP keeps you completely safe from deepfake porn— 

Block Porn 

1. BlockP will block millions of adult websites. Additionally, it uses network-level blocking to ensure that no explicit content slips through. 
2. BlockP’s AI-powered filters can detect and block all porn, nudity, and semi-nudity. 

3. You can also block specific keywords with custom blocking options. 
4. It also has a blocklist where you can add website names and block them.
5. BlockP blocks search features on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and X. You can also block WhatsApp channels using the app. 
6. You can use a whitelist to allow only specific websites and focus mode to restrict apps. This feature is extremely useful if you are a parent to keep your child safe from porn online. 

Prevent Bypass 

What happens if you try to bypass BlockP by changing settings or other sneaky tricks?

1. You can lock the app with the password so that settings cannot be changed and the app cannot be uninstalled. 
2. It blocks porn on any newly installed app on your phone and does not let you install new browsers.
3. It prevents you from rebooting your phone.