Context
Denmark has proposed a new legal approach to combat the spread of deepfakes—synthetic media generated using AI—by extending copyright protections to individuals’ facial features, voice, and appearance, even if the manipulated media is not originally theirs.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations , Social Issues)
Why This Matters
- Deepfakes are becoming more realistic and easier to create, posing serious risks to privacy, consent, democracy, and digital trust.
- India and many countries lack a specific legal framework to address deepfakes.
Key Features of Denmark’s Proposal
| Provision | Description |
| Copyright-like Protection | Individuals will get exclusive rights over their facial data, voice, etc., like authors have over their works. |
| Criminalisation of Realistic Imitations | Deepfakes mimicking a real person’s appearance/voice without consent will be illegal, even if not defamatory. |
| Consent-Based Usage | Platforms must obtain explicit permission from individuals before sharing their likeness. |
| Platform Liability | Social media platforms will face penalties for non-removal of deepfake content. |
Caveats & Limitations
| Limitation | Explanation |
| Scope Limited to Denmark | Enforcement outside Danish jurisdiction will be difficult. |
| Freedom of Expression Risks | Risk of overblocking content; critics warn of unintended curbs on satire or art. |
| Exemptions for News/Parody | The bill doesn’t fully clarify if satire, journalism, or AI-generated art is protected. |
Global Relevance
- India’s Gap: India has no standalone law to regulate deepfakes. IT Rules 2021 address harmful content but don’t define deepfakes explicitly.
- Comparative Insight:
- EU AI Act: Classifies deepfakes as high-risk AI.
- US: Various state laws penalize deepfakes in elections or pornography.
- China: Requires labelling of all AI-generated media.
