The Emergence of Deepfake Identities in Cameroon

By 

Saron Obia

CyJurII Theorist

On 19 August 2025

Introduction

One of the emerging menace in todays world in deepfakes. “Deepfakes” refers to synthetic media, emanating from technological innovation which create manipulative content with the use of deep learning techniques. Deep learning represents a subset of machine learning techniques which are also a subset of artificial intelligence. While machine learning a model uses training data to develop a model for a specific task.  However, the data which is examined using deep learning is not restricted to images and videos of people, but goes beyond to audio and text.

In 2009, the Court of First Instance in Buea rendered judgement on the case of the People of Cameroon vs. Tita Kevin Ndango (CFIB/40c/09) based on online fraud, and the later used Photoshop to produce images (pictures) of an accident to defraud his victim. Though the images were fake, the quality could mislead an inexperienced expert or prosecutor. However, the latter was sanction base on section 318 of the Cameroon Penal Code which deals with online fraud and abuse of confidence. 

In 2015, the Cameroon Presidential Website was hacked.  A fabricated photo of the President of the Republic of Cameroon was uploaded on the website (while he was on vacation in Europe) honoring some gallant soldiers victim of the Islamic sect by Boko Haram around the Lake Chad Basin. Whereas, on 6 March 2015, he was represented by the former Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense of the Republic of Cameroon.

Cyber laws in Cameroon

Decree No 2017/2580/PM of 06 April 2017 Setting the Terms and Conditions for the Establishment or Operation of Electronic Communication Networks and Supplies of Electronic Communication Services subject to the Authorisation Regime. This represents a strong level of due diligence for companies and for the security of users of their service.

Decree No. 2015/3759 of 3 September 2015 Lay Down the Identification Requirements for Subscribers and Terminal Equipment of Electronic as per Art. 6 (some of the key issues requested for registration). One of the key issue is that subscribers must provide the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of device. In case of any text or call, law enforcement officers can easily identify the subscriber.

Law No 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 relating to Cybersecurity and Cybercriminality in Cameroon. The technicality in the definition of terms in this law which is use as a policing instrument for non-conventional crimes, also incriminate artificial intelligence generated crimes.

Law No 2024/017 of 3 December 2024 relation to Personal Data Protection in Cameroon. The law is a supplement to others in combating emerging white-collar crimes, AI enabling crimes and reconfigure the cybersecurity landscape of Cameroon based on the recent cyber-attacks and ransomware attacks.

Conclusion

Policing deepfakes is quite challenging in developing countries, but the above cyber laws help mitigate crime in Cameroon. Security policies and procedures should not be limited to the state. Non-governmental organizations and financial entities need to adhere and upgrade their skills with taskforce in order to combat deepfakes. An artificial intelligence liability regulation will help reconfigure the cybersecurity landscape.

Reference

Increasing Threats of Deepfake Identities

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/increasing_threats_of_deepfake_identities_0.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjd8oibs5aPAxVAVKQEHe0INZwQFnoECAsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0os8i4RedFH31wlw9aBQ-0

Wacka, J. (2014). Understanding and Investigating Cyber Criminality and Terrorist Acts. A Practical Approach for Law Enforcement Agents and the Judiciary. International Conference held on 13 November 2014 at University of Buea, Cameroon.

https://www.businessincameroon.com/public-management/2106-11696-cybersecurity-antic-claims-it-deleted-3-372-fake-facebook-accounts-out-of-4-242-identified-in-2020

http://www.edennewspaper.net/cyber-criminals-hack-presidential-website/