Are deepfake sites illegal?

Deepfake sites in themselves are not deemed illegal. They represent a form of image or video manipulation technology that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create hyper-realistic but fake content. This content can range from swapping faces of individuals in a video, replicating a person's voice, or generating completely non-existent people.

While the creation of deepfake content is not illegal, the manner in which it is used has potential for legal consequences. The distribution or utilization of deepfakes with malicious intent, such as fraud, identity theft, defamation, or non-consensual explicit content, can be illegal based on the jurisdiction and the specific laws of a state or country.

In the United States, for instance, several states such as California and New York have laws specifically targeting deepfakes. California's AB 602, signed into law in 2019, allows victims of non-consensual deepfake pornography to sue for damages. Similarly, New York is considering a bill that would make it easier to sue creators and distributors of deceptive deepfakes.

Furthermore, it's important to note that deepfake content used to manipulate or influence public opinion, notably during an election period, could fall under election and misinformation laws in certain jurisdictions.

In conclusion, while deepfake sites themselves are not illegal, the misuse of deepfakes can have legal repercussions depending on the jurisdiction and the specific situation.