Deepfake AI and the Protection of Privacy Rights: An Islamic Perspective in Muslim-Majority Countries of Southeast Asia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65310/320brg20Keywords:
Depfake AI, Digital Ethics, Islamic Law, Privacy Rights, Southeast Asia.Abstract
The emergence of deepfake artificial intelligence (AI) has intensified concerns regarding privacy violations, identity manipulation, and reputational harm in digital environments. These challenges are particularly significant in Muslim-majority countries of Southeast Asia, where privacy and personal honour are closely connected to Islamic ethical and legal values. This study examines the implications of deepfake technology for privacy rights from an Islamic perspective, focusing on Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. Using a systematic literature review and qualitative-normative analysis, the study synthesizes scholarly publications, legal documents, policy reports, and Islamic jurisprudential sources related to deepfake governance and privacy protection. The findings reveal that existing regulatory frameworks remain fragmented and insufficient to address deepfake-related harms effectively. Islamic principles, particularly hifz al-‘ird, la darar wa la dirar, sidq, and amanah, provide a strong normative foundation for protecting privacy and human dignity. The study proposes a more integrated approach that combines contemporary privacy regulation with Islamic ethical principles to strengthen digital rights protection in Muslim-majority societies
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