Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced on September 14, 2026, the seizure of 12 domain names belonging to illegal websites selling non-consensual celebrity deepfake videos.
The websites had been used to unlawfully disseminate, publish, and sell explicit deepfake content featuring real individuals without their knowledge or agreement.
The scale of the operation is significant, with the DA’s office confirming that 1,200 individuals had their likenesses stolen and used to create illegal pornographic material across the 12 platforms.
Bragg described the seizures in stark terms, saying: “Twelve hundred individuals had their faces and bodies stolen and turned into illegal pornography on 12 different websites – without their knowledge or consent – and today, my Office is announcing that we have seized these websites pursuant to a court order.”
The DA’s office made clear that the harm caused by such content extends well beyond the initial violation, reaching into victims’ professional and personal lives long after the material first appears online.
Bragg stated: “These horrific violations of privacy follow victims into their careers and personal lives and take an immense toll on emotional and mental wellbeing.”
The district attorney confirmed that investigations into these websites and broader similar operations remain active and ongoing, suggesting further enforcement action could follow in the coming months.
Authorities were direct in addressing those affected, with Bragg saying: “If you have been a victim, I want you to know that we are here to help.”
Victims or those with information are encouraged to contact the Manhattan DA’s Cyber Crime Bureau directly by calling 212-335-9600.
Non-consensual deepfake pornography has become an increasingly serious issue globally, with AI-generated imagery making it easier than ever to create realistic but entirely fabricated explicit content of real people.
The seizure of 12 domains in a single enforcement action represents one of the more significant moves by a US prosecutor’s office against this specific category of online harm.
Individuals outside New York who believe they may have been victims of similar content are advised to contact the consumer division of their relevant state Attorney General’s office for guidance and support.