Manhattan prosecutors seized 12 websites they say sold non-consensual AI “deepfake” porn of celebrities under a New York court order.
Story Highlights
- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the court-ordered seizure of 12 domains tied to AI deepfake porn sites.
- Prosecutors cite New York’s intimate image law, updated to cover AI-altered “digitized” images.
- The action builds on recent federal domain seizures targeting nude digital forgeries of famous women.
- Experts say deepfakes are now treated as technology-driven sexual abuse, not a fringe problem.
What New York Seized And Why It Matters
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said his office seized the domain names of 12 websites accused of selling non-consensual celebrity deepfake videos. He stated the takedown followed a court order and targeted sites built to profit from sexualized, AI-altered images of well-known figures. The announcement signals a tougher stance against image-based abuse that uses artificial intelligence. It also shows local prosecutors believe state law reaches digital forgeries that harm victims and fuel a fast-growing online market.
Bragg’s office framed the action as a direct response to illegal dissemination and sale of intimate images without consent. The case leans on New York’s criminal statute on unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image, which punishes sharing intimate content meant to cause harm. Lawmakers expanded this law to include images “created or altered by digitization,” covering deepfakes and similar products of artificial intelligence. That update closed a gap that once let fake sexual images slip past rules written for real photos or videos.
The Legal Tools Behind The Seizures
New York Penal Law section 245.15 outlines when sharing intimate images is a crime, including when done to cause emotional, financial, or physical harm. Recent state changes and guidance describe how deepfake content counts as unlawful when it depicts intimate parts without consent, even if artificial intelligence created it. These details matter in court because they define what prosecutors must prove and what defenses fail. They also help judges approve steps like domain seizures to halt ongoing harm.
Federal agencies have pursued similar actions. The United States Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security recently seized domains that published thousands of nude digital forgeries of famous women without consent. That federal move showed growing coordination to disrupt the business model behind synthetic sexual content. New York’s action aligns with that trend, using local authority to move faster on platforms that target or reach New Yorkers. Together these steps aim to make hosting and selling deepfakes a high-risk bet for site operators.
How This Fits A Larger Shift On Deepfakes
Researchers and legal analysts describe sexualized deepfakes as a form of image-based sexual abuse. They argue the core harm comes from non-consensual creation and spread, not from fooling viewers. This view has pushed lawmakers and prosecutors to treat deepfakes like other intimate image crimes. Recent analyses note New York’s updates now treat AI-generated sexual images much like real, non-consensual intimate photos, tightening criminal exposure for creators and sellers. That shift is changing how police, courts, and platforms respond.
Age restrictions protect porn sites. It allows them to filter out people who would want to sue their site for posting deepfake illegal pornography. Forcing people to show ID makes people feel dirty and unwilling to commit to the prosecution.
The sites need a full ban instead.
— James Thatcher (@jamesthatcher_) September 10, 2026
For many Americans, the case taps shared worries about powerful tech outpacing basic rights. People across the political spectrum fear that online markets profit from abuse while institutions move slowly. Seizing domains does not fix the larger ecosystem, but it can disrupt cash flow and send a clear rule: consent matters, even when images are fabricated. Prosecutors say more work lies ahead to trace operators, help victims, and test these laws in court. Those next steps will show how strong these tools really are.
Sources:
insiderpaper.com, manhattanda.org, today.rtl.lu, justice.gov, nysenate.gov
