Introduction

Blackmail is a deeply invasive crime that thrives on fear, shame, and coercion. Traditionally, blackmail involved threatening to reveal damaging truths unless the victim submitted to demands, whether financial, sexual, or reputational. But in today’s hyper-connected and digitally enhanced world, the scope of blackmail has evolved in dangerous ways. No longer is the threat limited to stolen photographs or intercepted messages; with the rise of artificial intelligence, victims can now be targeted with entirely fabricated yet convincingly real content. Whether through deepfake videos, AI-cloned voice recordings, or synthetic messages, the impact is equally destructive. Egyptian law, while grounded in traditional legal frameworks, has begun adapting to address these emerging threats, recognizing that the crime lies in the coercive act itself, regardless of whether the content used is authentic or artificial.

Blackmail Under Egyptian Criminal and Cyber Law

Egyptian law does not use the term “blackmail” in a technical sense, but it criminalizes the underlying behavior through several provisions across the Penal Code and the Cybercrime Law. The Penal Code prohibits threats designed to compel someone to act against their will, including threats made in writing or involving serious accusations or private matters. When the intent is to extract a concession, be it silence, payment, or compliance, the act falls squarely within the realm of criminal liability.

Complementing this, Egypt’s Cybercrime Law directly addresses the misuse of digital content. The law criminalizes the use of personal data, photos, videos, and other electronic material in ways that invade privacy, cause reputational damage, or extort behavior. It also imposes specific penalties for threats and blackmail carried out through digital platforms. These provisions are increasingly relevant in a society where smartphones, cloud storage, and social media accounts are frequent entry points for data breaches and digital harassment. Importantly, the law also acknowledges that the harm caused by blackmail does not depend on whether the victim is guilty of anything, but on whether the content was used coercively to instill fear or extract benefit.

AI-Generated Threats and Deepfake Blackmail

A new and particularly insidious form of blackmail has emerged with the rise of artificial intelligence tools. These technologies can create highly realistic images, videos, or audio recordings that simulate a person’s face, voice, or behavior. Deepfake videos, for example, can place an individual’s likeness in compromising or criminal scenarios, while voice cloning software can mimic speech patterns to fabricate incriminating phone calls. In some cases, even textual messages can be generated to impersonate the victim or suggest improper behavior.

Egyptian courts and prosecutors are increasingly aware of these threats. In such cases, the legal issue is not whether the content is real, but whether it was used to threaten, extort, or manipulate. Victims often feel helpless when they discover that content used against them is entirely fake, but Egyptian law does not require the underlying material to be genuine in order to prosecute the crime. What matters is the existence of a threat intended to force the victim to act against their free will. In practice, this means that using a fabricated video to coerce someone into paying money or maintaining silence can lead to the same criminal liability as using real footage.

Judicial Approach and Legal Remedies

The Egyptian judiciary has historically treated blackmail and threats with seriousness, especially where the offense affects family honor, social standing, or professional reputation. Courts consider both the method and the intention behind the act, and penalties may increase if the threat is made public, involves minors, or results in actual harm. With the increasing role of digital evidence in litigation, Egyptian courts now accept account ownership, and message authenticity. 

Victims of blackmail are encouraged to preserve all available evidence, whether it is a threatening message, a fake video, or screenshots of a conversation. Early legal intervention is critical, especially in digital blackmail cases where attackers may act quickly to disseminate content or delete accounts. Filing a complaint with the cybercrime unit of the Ministry of Interior is the first formal step, followed by prosecution and other criminal proceedings and, if needed, a civil claim for damages.

Conclusion

Blackmail in Egypt, like in many jurisdictions, is a crime that adapts with the tools of the age. As digital threats become more sophisticated, the law’s protective function becomes even more vital. Egyptian legislation, particularly the Cybercrime Law, has shown a growing capacity to respond to these evolving tactics, emphasizing that the use of any content, real or artificial, to coerce or control others is unacceptable. With AI-generated threats now on the rise, individuals and institutions must stay vigilant and legally informed. Whether the blackmail involves private photos or a fully synthetic deepfake, the legal system stands ready to defend the rights of victims and ensure that coercion has no safe harbor in a just society.