UCL Cybersecurity CDT students highlight deepfake threats to justice system

In their systematic review, Maria-Paz Sandoval, Maria de Almeida Vau, John Solaas and Luano Rodrigues Silva explore how deepfakes - realistic but fabricated media created using artificial intelligence - can undermine the integrity of legal proceedings.  

Their research identifies key areas of concern, including the potential for deepfakes to be used in pornography, fraud, and information manipulation, which could erode trust in institutions and complicate evidence verification.  

The authors highlight the pressing need for better detection technologies and robust legal frameworks to mitigate these risks. They underscore the broader societal implications, including potential threats to democratic processes and national security. 

Commenting on the research, study author Maria-Paz Sandoval said:  

“We believe this article is a novel and substantial contribution to the literature, where the impacts of AI-enabled technologies, such as deepfakes, on key systems like the judiciary have yet to be thoroughly documented. In this article, we found that deepfake technology has reached a level where it poses significant challenges to the justice system. For this reason, it is vital that we act now to develop the tools and policies needed to protect the integrity of legal proceedings.”  

To learn more about their findings, read the full paper: SpringerLink article.