Islamic Digital Ethics in The Era of Deepfake: an Analysis of Technological Mediation

Abstract

he development of deepfake technology presents significant challenges to digital ethics in Islam. Its ability to generate human images and voices that closely resemble reality has blurred the boundaries between truth and falsehood. This raises serious ethical concerns regarding fundamental Islamic values such as ṣidq (honesty), amānah (responsibility), and ʿadl (justice). In the digital sphere, visual deception not only distorts information but also undermines social trust and human dignity. This article seeks to examine the phenomenon of deepfake through Peter-Paul Verbeek’s theory of technological mediation ethics, which views technology not merely as a tool but as something that participates in shaping the ways humans think and act morally. Using a library research method, this analysis demonstrates that deepfake technology can serve as a useful medium for da‘wah (religious propagation) and education when used with good intentions, yet it can also become a source of fitnah (slander) and fasād (corruption) when misused. Therefore, Islamic digital ethics must be directed not only toward assessing the legality of human actions but also toward cultivating awareness that technology itself influences moral decision-making. This awareness of mediation is expected to guide Muslims to uphold the values of truth, justice, and responsibility of technology.

Keywords: Islamic Digital Ethics, Deepfake, Technological Mediation