Deepfakes Targeting Teachers: Understanding Discovery Rights and Responsibilities

Teachers are documented as a victim category in deepfake intimate image abuse, targeted by students, former students, parents, and others. The power dynamic in teacher-student relationships gives this issue a unique aspect: school authorities often try to downplay the situation or shift blame to the teacher. This is incorrect. Teachers have rights that schools must respect when it comes to discovering where their images may appear online.

School responsibilities when a teacher is targeted

When a teacher reports deepfake intimate image abuse, particularly by a student, schools have a responsibility under workplace harassment policies to investigate and respond. Minimizing the report, blaming the teacher, or failing to act exposes the school to liability. The appropriate response includes engaging school administration, HR, and potentially law enforcement immediately.

Potential criminal implications for student perpetrators

Creating or distributing non-consensual deepfake intimate images of a teacher is a criminal offense under various laws, regardless of the perpetrator's age. Minors may face juvenile proceedings. Schools must not attempt to resolve criminal behavior internally, a referral to law enforcement is required where criminal conduct is identified.

Discovery rights for teachers

Teachers targeted by student-created or student-distributed deepfakes have the right to find where their faces appear online just like any other victim. School administration should support, not hinder, teachers' exercise of these rights.