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The Babydoll Archi Case: Deepfakes, Revenge Porn, and India’s Legal Battle Against AI-Driven Cybercrime
- The Law Gurukul
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Introduction: When a Viral Sensation Turns into a Cybercrime Nightmare
In August 2020, an Instagram account named "Babydoll Archi" took social media by storm. With over 1.4 million followers, the account featured seductive reels of a woman named Archita Phukan, supposedly entering the American adult entertainment industry. The persona even claimed collaborations with adult star Kendra Lust, making the account go viral.
But the truth was far darker.
Babydoll Archi wasn’t real.
The account was an AI-generated deepfake, created by Pratim Bora, a mechanical engineer from Assam. Using just one photograph of his ex-girlfriend, Bora employed AI tools like Midjourney and OpenAI to craft explicit content, monetizing the account and reportedly earning ₹10 lakh through viral fame and paid subscriptions.
When the real victim—a woman from Dibrugarh, Assam—discovered her face was being used without consent, she faced public shaming, emotional trauma, and reputational damage. After she filed a complaint, Dibrugarh Police arrested Bora, seizing his devices and exposing the disturbing reality of AI-driven revenge porn.
This case isn’t just about one woman’s ordeal—it’s a wake-up call for India’s legal system, digital literacy, and the growing threat of deepfake exploitation.
The Legal Framework: Can India’s New Laws Fight Deepfake Crimes?
With the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC), alongside the IT Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, India has legal tools to combat cybercrimes like deepfake revenge porn. But are they enough?
Key Legal Provisions Applicable to the Babydoll Archi Case
Law | Section | Offense | Punishment | Limitations |
BNS, 2023 | Section 77 (Voyeurism) | Non-consensual image dissemination | Up to 7 years imprisonment + fine | Only protects women, not gender-neutral |
BNS, 2023 | Section 79 (Outraging Modesty) | Insulting a woman’s modesty via digital content | Up to 3 years + fine | Gendered language excludes male/trans victims |
BNS, 2023 | Section 318 (Cheating by Impersonation) | Creating fake identity using AI | Up to 7 years imprisonment | Needs stronger AI-specific definitions |
IT Act, 2000 | Section 66E (Privacy Violation) | Capturing/transmitting private images without consent | Up to 7 years + ₹10 lakh fine | Difficult enforcement on foreign platforms |
IT Act, 2000 | Section 67A (Publishing Explicit Content) | Sharing sexually explicit deepfakes | Up to 7 years + fine | Slow content takedowns by social media |
Why These Laws Fall Short
No Explicit Deepfake Ban – India lacks dedicated laws criminalizing deepfake pornography.
Gendered Protections – Laws like Section 77 BNS exclude male and transgender victims.
Slow Enforcement – Social media platforms often delay removing deepfake content, worsening harm.
Jurisdiction Issues – Many deepfake sites operate outside India, complicating legal action.
The Assam Connection: How to Report Cybercrimes in the State
Since the victim was from Dibrugarh, Assam, the case highlights the need for stronger cybercrime reporting mechanisms in the region.
Where to Report Cybercrimes in Assam?
✔ Assam Cyber Crime Police Station (Guwahati)📍 Ulubari, Guwahati-781007📧 cybercrime-assam@police.gov.in📞 0361-2526143
✔ National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal🌐 https://cybercrime.gov.in📞 Helpline: 1930
✔ File an FIR Under BNSS, 2023
Police must register an FIR for cognizable offenses (like deepfake porn).
Zero FIR can be filed anywhere, then transferred to the concerned police station.
Challenges in Assam
Only one cyber forensic lab (in Guwahati).
Many rural police stations lack digital expertise.
Victims often face social stigma, discouraging reporting.
The Bigger Problem: AI, Deepfakes, and Revenge Porn in India
The Babydoll Archi case is not an isolated incident. Deepfake crimes are rising:
🔴 Kerala Deepfake Case (2024) – A woman’s face was morphed into a porn video; the accused was booked under IT Act Section 66E.
🔴 Delhi Deepfake Extortion (2023) – A businessman was blackmailed using a fake AI video.
🔴 Assam Catfishing Scam (2022) – A fake Instagram profile used a woman’s photos to scam people.
Why Is Revenge Porn a Gendered Crisis?
96% of deepfake victims are women (Deeptrace, 2019).
Victims face job loss, depression, and social ostracization.
Perpetrators often monetize the content (like Bora’s ₹10 lakh earnings).
How to Protect Yourself from Deepfake Crimes?
✅ DOs:
✔ Secure Your Digital Footprint – Limit sharing personal photos publicly.
✔ Use Reverse Image Search – Check if your pictures are misused.
✔ Report Immediately – Use cybercrime.gov.in or Assam’s cyber cell.
✔ Educate Others – Spread awareness about deepfake risks.
❌ DON’Ts:
✖ Don’t Share Sensitive Media – Even privately, images can be leaked.
✖ Don’t Ignore Suspicious Activity – Report fake profiles ASAP.
✖ Don’t Engage with Blackmailers – Seek legal help instead.
The Way Forward: What India Needs to Combat Deepfake Abuse
Special Deepfake Laws – Like the US “Take It Down Act”, mandating swift content removal.
Gender-Neutral Cyber Laws – Protect all victims, not just women.
Better Digital Literacy – Teach deepfake detection in schools.
Stricter Platform Accountability – Social media must detect & remove deepfakes faster.
Conclusion: A Call for Legal Awareness & Stronger Protections
The Babydoll Archi case exposes India’s struggle against AI-driven exploitation. While laws like BNS and IT Act provide some recourse, gaps remain.
We need:
🔹 Stronger laws against deepfake pornography.
🔹 Faster cybercrime response systems, especially in states like Assam.
🔹 Public awareness to fight digital abuse.
If you or someone you know is a victim:➡ Report immediately to Assam Cyber Cell (cybercrime-assam@police.gov.in) or the national portal (cybercrime.gov.in).➡ Spread awareness—share this blog to help others stay safe!
Let’s build a safer digital India—one where technology empowers, not exploits.
📢 What do you think? Should India have stricter deepfake laws? Comment below!
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