Deepfakes: reporting it to the police
Contents:
| 1. About deepfakes |
| 2. What you can do |
| 3. Reporting it to the police |
| 4. Help and support |
We understand what’s happened might be embarrassing or you might not be sure if it’s something you can tell us about.
Here are some examples of things which you can report to the police and how to report them.
Intimate image abuse or “revenge porn”
It’s illegal to share or threaten to share intimate photos or videos of someone without their consent and this includes deepfake images.
If the deepfake photo or video appears to be real and is a close likeness to you or someone you know it may be a criminal offence.
You can report this to the police online.
Child sexual abuse material
It’s illegal to make, share and possess indecent photographs and pseudo-photographs and/or videos, including deepfakes, of someone who is under 18.
It does not matter if the person depicted is real or created using AI.
You can report this to the police online.
Hate crime
It’s illegal for someone to act in a way that is threatening and designed to stir up hatred through messages, pictures, and videos.
This could be an image or video that contains messages calling for violence against a specific person or group, or images and/or videos showing violence against someone.
You can report this to the police online.
Fraud
Using a deepfake to trick, or try to trick, someone into handing over money or anything else is fraud.
You can report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
False communications
Deepfakes can be used to send false messages, for example showing you or someone you know doing something that has not actually happened.
If this is done by someone who wants to cause harm, either emotional or physical, it can be illegal.
You can report this to the police online.
Terrorist activity
If the deepfake is promoting, glorifying, or helping carry out acts of terrorism and violent extremism you should report this to the police.
If you come across content that you believe to be terrorist in nature, please report this anonymously at www.gov.uk/report-terrorism or by downloading the iREPORTit app on either the Apple or Android app store.
Stalking and harassment
If someone is repeatedly doing something (including using deepfakes) which make you feel alarmed, distressed, threatened or unsafe then you can report it.
You can report this to the police online.
Blackmail
If a deepfake is being used to blackmail you or someone you know this is a crime.
You can report this to the police online.