Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill
This bill makes it illegal to create, share, or distribute fake explicit images or videos of real people — known as 'deepfakes' — without their consent. Right now, the law covers real intimate images shared without permission, but not fake ones made using digital tools. This bill closes that gap. If someone uses software to make it look like you appear naked or in a sexual situation, that would become treated the same as sharing a real intimate image without your consent.
What this affects
Tap a topic to see how this bill touches it, and the parts of the text that show it.
Creating or sharing a fake explicit image of a real person without their permission would become a criminal offence, the same as sharing a real intimate image without consent.
intimate visual recording includes a visual recording that has been created, synthesised, or altered without the knowledge or consent of the person who is the subject of the recording, and appears to show the person— (a) naked or with their genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breasts exposed... or (b) engaged in an intimate sexual activity
This extension will mean that the provisions relating to intimate visual images (sections 216H to 216N) will apply to created images.
This extension will mean that the offence in section 22A of the Act will apply to created images.
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
This bill is open for public submissions to the Social Services and Community Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 18 June 2026.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.