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With the rise of artificial intelligence technologies, new challenges emerge for the legal system. One of the most serious phenomena is \u201cdeepfake\u201d \u2013 technology that uses neural networks to create fake but highly realistic audio-visual materials in which a person\u2019s face or voice is manipulated to appear as if they are saying or doing something they never did.<\/p>\n
This phenomenon raises numerous legal, ethical, and social risks \u2013 from defamation, invasion of privacy, and damage to reputation, to political manipulation, fraud, and digital forms of sexual violence. It is therefore important to examine whether and how Bulgarian law \u2013 in particular the Criminal Code \u2013 can provide adequate protection.<\/p>\n
1. What is \u201cdeepfake\u201d?<\/strong> 2. Which rights are affected by deepfake?<\/strong><\/p>\n right to private and family life (Art. 32 Constitution, Art. 8 ECHR);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n right to dignity, honor, and reputation;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n right to personal integrity and control over one\u2019s image and voice;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n protection from discrimination and harassment;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n in some cases \u2013 freedom of expression when used in misleading propaganda.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n 3. Criminal law protection in Bulgaria<\/strong><\/p>\n Art. 147 CC \u2013 Defamation:<\/strong> when deepfake attributes defamatory statements or crimes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Art. 159 CC \u2013 Use of image without consent:<\/strong> for pornographic deepfake content.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Arts. 319a\u2013319g CC \u2013 Computer crimes:<\/strong> when deepfake creation involves unlawful access to data or accounts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n 4. Civil and administrative remedies:<\/strong><\/p>\n compensation for non-material damages (Art. 45 Obligations and Contracts Act);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n complaint to the Commission for Personal Data Protection;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n reports to platforms (YouTube, Facebook) to remove content;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n protective measures in case of threats.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n 5. Challenges for the law<\/strong> If you or a relative are a victim of \u201cdeepfake,\u201d it is best to consult a criminal law attorney. This article does not constitute legal advice or opinion from Atty. Mihail Tomov.<\/p>\n
The term derives from \u201cdeep learning\u201d and \u201cfake.\u201d With specialized software and algorithms, videos and audio are generated that simulate the actions or speech of real people.<\/p>\n\n
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Deepfake technology highlights the gap between legislation and technological progress. The lack of an explicit offense requires broad interpretation of existing provisions, but also calls for legislative initiatives for clearer regulation.<\/p>\n