The Ethics of Deepfake Creation and Use

The proliferation of deepfake technology presents complex ethical challenges that span creativity, harm prevention, and free expression. This chapter examines the moral dimensions of synthetic media through philosophical frameworks, legal analysis, and empirical evidence. We explore the tension between legitimate creative applications and potential harms, analyze constitutional boundaries of regulation, and identify moral dilemmas faced by creators, platforms, and society. Drawing on recent scholarship (2021-2025), the chapter synthesizes deontological, consequentialist, and virtue ethics approaches to develop an integrated framework for understanding deepfake ethics. Key findings reveal that while deepfakes are not inherently wrong, their ethical status depends critically on consent, context, and purpose. The analysis demonstrates how synthetic media threatens epistemic trust while simultaneously enabling beneficial applications in education, accessibility, and artistic expression.

Hali tarjima qilinmagan