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Deepfake Solicitors.
If you’ve been contacted by police, invited to a voluntary interview or think you could be under investigation for a deepfake offence of a sexual nature, you need specialist legal advice now.
New laws that came into effect in 2026 make creating non-consensual intimate images a specific criminal offence, even if they never leave your own device. If you’re facing an investigation around these alleged offences, how you act in the early stages can make a significant difference.
PCD Solicitors are a national criminal defence firm specialising in sexual offences, including those committed online. Our team advises clients across England and Wales at every stage of an investigation, starting before any police contact, through to trial and appeals.
All initial consultations are free, confidential and discreet.
How we can help.
If you’re facing any allegations or an investigation involving intimate deepfakes, PCD Solicitors are here to guide you the entire process with expert legal advice, including:
- Advising you before any police or voluntary interview under caution, so you understand your rights and how to protect your position
- Attending police interviews with you so you have proper representation
- Challenging any digital forensic evidence taken during the investigation (including the use of expert witnesses when needed)
- Engaging directly with the Crown Prosecution Service to present your case before any charging decisions are made
- Advising on the full range of available defences
What is a deepfake offence?
Deepfakes are images and videos created using artificial intelligence tools like AI image generators. These tools are able to superimpose one person’s likeness onto another person’s body that are highly realistic and can be difficult to detect without proper analysis.
A sexually explicit deepfake is any AI-generated image or video showing a real, identifiable person in a sexual context that didn’t happen and where no consent was given to create the image. This includes any images from photographs that aren’t themselves sexual in nature.
What the UK law says about creating deepfake images.
Section 138 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 created a new specific offence for the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images, which came into force in England and Wales in February 2026. This is separate from (but works alongside) existing offences of sharing intimate images.
It’s important to know that just the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes without consent is enough to be convicted. You don’t have to have shared the image with anyone.
What defences are available to you?
The best way to defend you against allegations will depend on the specifics of your case, but depending on the circumstances we do have a number of options to use.
What behaviour is now criminalised?
Under the new laws these categories of behaviour are now deemed a criminal offence. If you’re not sure you fall into these categories, our expert legal defence solicitors can advise you.
- Creating a sexually explicit deepfake image of a real, identifiable person without their consent
- Commissioning a third party, including via an online platform or app, to create a sexually explicit deepfake image on your behalf
- Creating a deepfake for the purpose of sexual gratification, even if the image is never shared
- Creating a deepfake with intent to cause distress, humiliation or alarm to the person in the image or video
- Sharing or threatening to share sexually explicit deepfakes without consent of the person depicted
- Creating deepfake content constituting indecent images of children (which is still a separate and very serious offence in current legislation)
Penalties for sexually explicit deepfake offences
Any punishment for deepfake offences depends on the nature of the conduct involved.
Creating sexually explicit images and sharing them have different maximum sentences, any punishment can also be affected by things like the extent of the conduct, any harm caused and your background and character.
Creating a sexually explicit deepfake
If you create a deepfake you can face a prison sentence up to 6 months, or an unlimited fine.
Sharing or distributing intimate deepfake images
If any deepfake image you create has been shared or distributed without consent, you could face a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison.
Additional consequences
If you’re convicted of deepfake offences you should be prepared not only for the actual sentence, whether it’s a fine or prison term, but the other consequences a conviction comes with:
- A criminal record
- Possibly being put on the Sex Offenders Register depending on the specific charge
- Loss of a job
- Social services referral and a possible impact on your access to children
- Reputational damage from press coverage
What to expect if you’re under investigation.
If the police get a complaint about you then investigations tend to follow the same procedure, so knowing what to expect at each stage (and when you should get legal advice) can be important to your defence.
Let’s talk.
Contact our deepfake defence solicitors
If you’ve been accused of creating or sharing sexually explicit deepfakes, or if you’re concerned you could be in violation of the new creation laws, contact our team immediately.
At PCD Solicitors we’re a nationwide criminal defence firm specialising in sexual offences committed online, including image-based sexual abuse, indecent images and digital offences. We’re authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Remember, in any case, the earlier you instruct a specialist solicitor the more options you have so get in touch with us today.
All enquiries are dealt with in complete confidence.
The Maltings, 100 Wilderspool Causeway,Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 6PU, UK
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