Deepfake videos created without consent in Turkey raise legal and harm risks
Deepfake videos created with AI technology are increasingly distributed on Turkish social media without consent, using people's voices, images and bodies to create fake and explicit content. Legal experts say existing laws provide some remedies but warn that Turkey needs specialized digital legislation to address the growing risks of fraud, extortion and reputational harm.
What happened
Deepfake videos created using AI technology are increasingly being distributed on social media in Turkey without the consent of the people depicted.
Lawyer Selahattin Par stated that people's voices, images, and bodies are being used to create fake speech videos and explicit content. Par noted that citizens cannot distinguish between real and artificial videos, creating risks of fraud, extortion, and reputational damage.
Reported impact
Victims face reputational attack, blackmail, and fraud risks from the spread of deepfake content on social media.
The distinction between virtual and reality has blurred, and citizens lack digital literacy to identify synthetic media, according to Par.
Index analysis
Turkey currently lacks specialized legislation for digital content regulation. Par noted that existing laws can be used in some cases, such as filing for content removal in peace court or pursuing civil damages under the Turkish Civil Code.
Par warned that the Turkish Criminal Code is outdated and was drafted before current technology development, and that digital platforms need oversight similar to broadcasting authority (RTÜK) regulation.
Governance controls
Legal remedies are available under existing Turkish law. Victims can petition courts to order removal of content if they can prove it is a fabricated image, or file civil lawsuits for material and moral damages under the Turkish Civil Code if they identify the perpetrator.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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