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Are deepfakes illegal in the UK?
Short answer
Some deepfakes are. Since 6 February 2026, creating or requesting a sexually explicit deepfake of an adult without consent is a criminal offence in England and Wales, under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. Sharing intimate deepfakes was already illegal under the Online Safety Act 2023. Other deepfakes can break fraud, harassment, defamation or consumer laws.
What the law covers
| Deepfake use | Legal position |
|---|---|
| Creating an intimate deepfake of an adult without consent | Offence since 6 February 2026 |
| Asking someone or a tool to create one | Offence since 6 February 2026 |
| Sharing an intimate deepfake without consent | Offence (Online Safety Act 2023) |
| Using a fake voice or video to trick someone into paying | Fraud |
| A fake endorsement or review in an advert | Breaches consumer and advertising rules |
| Parody or clearly labelled satire | Not banned, but defamation can still apply |
For businesses
- Never use someone's likeness or voice in marketing without written permission. See is AI voice cloning legal in the UK?
- Watch for deepfake fraud, such as a fake call from a "director" asking for an urgent payment. Check by calling back on a known number.
- Report fraud to Report Fraud (Police Scotland in Scotland).
Related questions
Is AI image generation illegal?
No, but some images are. See can AI images be illegal?
Does the EU AI Act require labels?
For providers and some users in the EU, yes. See what is the EU AI Act?
Sources
- Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, section 138
- Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 5) Regulations 2026
- Online Safety Act 2023, section 188
Checked 17 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
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