Anil Kapoor Wins Landmark Case Against AI-Generated Deepfakes
Popular Indian actor Anil Kapoor has achieved a significant victory in a Delhi high court case against websites that featured AI-generated deepfakes using his likeness. Kapoor, known for his roles in “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” won the judgment which acknowledged his “personality rights” and prohibited the unauthorized use of his name, image, voice, and catchphrases. The court ordered domain registrar sites, including GoDaddy, to take down two websites named in the lawsuit. Kapoor expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing that it sets a progressive precedent not only for him but for other actors as well.
The Issue of Deepfakes and Individual Rights
The case highlights the ongoing tension between advancements in AI technology and individual rights. With the rise of generative AI, the ability to create realistic deepfakes has become a growing concern for entertainers, celebrities, corporations, and policymakers. Deepfakes are digitally manipulated media that convincingly replace one person’s likeness with another. They have been used to create fake interviews and manipulate images and videos. To combat this issue, some celebrities are using AI platforms to create digital versions of themselves in order to stay ahead of illegal deepfake production.
Celebrities Taking Legal Action Against Deepfake Misuse
In recent months, several high-profile individuals have taken legal action against deepfake misuse. The family of Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher threatened legal action against a German magazine for creating a fake interview using voice AI technology. Celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Octavia Spencer, and Anne Hathaway are reportedly using AI platforms to store data necessary for training AI models to create digital versions of themselves. This proactive approach aims to combat the misuse of deepfake technology and protect the rights of individuals in the entertainment industry.
Hot Take: Upholding Individual Rights in the Age of AI
The landmark decision in Anil Kapoor’s case sets an important precedent for protecting individual rights in the face of AI-generated deepfakes. As the entertainment industry grapples with the implications of generative AI, it is crucial to establish legal boundaries to prevent unauthorized use of celebrities’ likeness and voice. Kapoor’s victory demonstrates that actors and public figures have recourse against those who exploit their identities through deepfake technology. This ruling not only safeguards Kapoor’s rights but also paves the way for future cases, ensuring that individuals can maintain control over their own personalities and benefit from them in the future.