Generative Artificial Intelligence and Interpersonal Cybercrime: A Human Rights Perspective

Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence is much more efficient at producing realistic content from vast existing datasets and has already sparked a technological evolution. With such advancements, the world has also seen a concerning rise in cybercrime activities. The internet has witnessed several new forms of interpersonal cybercrime, where the misuse of Generative Artificial Intelligence has enabled individuals to be targeted, defamed, and harmed mentally and physically through the threat of uploading manipulated content online. This emerging menace of cybercrime not only jeopardises individuals' security but also poses serious threats to fundamental human rights. In this paper, the author aims to analyse the human rights aspects of crimes affecting individuals in cyberspace and the legal landscape surrounding these growing concerns. The author limits her study to individual harm only; no financial cybercrime offences are incorporated in the study. This paper critically examines international human rights instruments, relevant constitutional protections, and statutory frameworks governing cybercrime that impact individual rights. The research finds that existing legal frameworks are technologically neutral, often insufficient to address the speed, anonymity, and scale of such abuse. The paper advocates for a rights-based regulatory approach that incorporates victim-centric remedies and AI-specific safeguards to ensure protection in the digital age.