AI-generated deepfakes are exploding — using real people’s faces, voices, and likeness without consent. But is it actually illegal in Canada? This is VANCOLOUR host Mo Amir asks legal expert Kyla Lee what rights Canadians really have when it comes to their image. From deepfake pornography to viral impersonations, why hasn’t “Mr. Deepfakes” been charged? What can you do if it happens to you? In the age of artificial intelligence, do you actually own your face?
“Unfortunately, our criminal law is really far behind where our technology is currently, and there aren’t existing Criminal Code provisions in Canada that cover deepfake pornography. There have been promises by the federal government. In fact, there was a bill that was tabled, but died on the order paper last session, to try and make deepfake pornography without consent and the distribution of deepfake images a crime. We expect that the government is going to introduce that bill again, but as of right now, we’re just lagging behind and hoping for the best.”
