Date of Award

Spring 6-13-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Degree Name

B.A. in Socio-Legal Studies

Organizational Unit

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences

First Advisor

Lisa Pasko

Second Advisor

Tanika Vigil

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Deepfake pornography, Artificial intelligence (AI), Legislation, Pornography and obscenity laws, Consent

Abstract

In the United States, nonconsensual pornographic deepfakes are becoming an increasingly prevalent problem as AI deepfake creation software improves and becomes widely available. Despite this, patchwork legislation across the country is inconsistent and conflicting regarding this issue. In this paper, I explore the background of pornography and obscenity laws and demonstrate how these frameworks are not properly constructed to apply to the digital sphere. Then, I address major themes within deepfake literature such as consent issues, bodily autonomy, labor displacement, and verifiable identity as a commodity through the case study of OnlyFans. I explore current and proposed legislation within the United States attempting to address this issue, and balance protection of First Amendment rights to free speech with removal of violating and nonconsensual sexual content. Ultimately, I advocate for stricter identity verification software on pornography platforms, and a nationwide oversight board that handles notice and take down requests in a manner that promotes bodily autonomy while not restricting free speech rights.

Copyright Date

6-6-2026

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Mariah Barrett

Provenance

Received from Author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

42 pgs

File Size

410 KB

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