Rules / Canada

Bill C-16, Protecting Victims Act - sexual deepfake amendments to the Criminal Code

In forceLawBinding

Expands the Criminal Code offence of non-consensual distribution of intimate images to cover sexual deepfakes, criminalises threatening to distribute such images, and raises the maximum penalty. Applies to individuals.

Why it matters

Generative AI services should expect Canadian law-enforcement requests on sexual deepfakes and design safeguards accordingly.

What it requires

Prohibited usesPenalties

Penalties

Up to 10 years' imprisonment on indictment for non-consensual distribution (or threats) of intimate images including sexual deepfakes.

SourceDepartment of Justice Canada: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/pl/c16/ Checked against the source on 4 Oct 2026. Royal Assent 18 Jun 2026. Justice Canada: most provisions (including the sexual-deepfake and threat-to-distribute amendments) came into force 30 days after Royal Assent, on 18 Jul 2026; coercive-control and some victims' provisions come later.

Cite this record

Bill C-16, Protecting Victims Act - sexual deepfake amendments to the Criminal Code. Parliament of Canada (Department of Justice). Status: In force. wheresthe.ai, https://wheresthe.ai/rule/ca-bill-c16-protecting-victims-act-deepfakes-2026/ (verified 4 Oct 2026).

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