The Loi SREN (Loi visant à sécuriser et à réguler l’espace numérique) amended the French Criminal Code to specifically prohibit non-consensual deepfakes. Article 226-8 covers general non-consensual deepfakes; Article 226-8-1 addresses sexual deepfakes with enhanced penalties.

• Distribution of audiovisual content generated by algorithmic processing depicting a person’s image or speech without consent, unless the artificial nature is obvious or expressly disclosed
• Sexual deepfakes treated under a separate, more severe article (226-8-1)
• Both AI-generated content and traditional photo or video manipulation

• Article 226-8: up to 1 year imprisonment and €15,000 fine; 2 years and €45,000 if disseminated via online public communication service
• Article 226-8-1: up to 2 years and €60,000 for sexual deepfakes; 3 years and €75,000 if disseminated online
• Disclosure that content is AI-generated does not eliminate liability if the depicted person is identifiable
• Enforced by French courts with support from regulators ARCOM and CNIL