Denmark Moves to Protect Citizens Against AI Deepfakes with New Copyright Law
The Danish government has announced plans to amend its copyright legislation to give individuals legal ownership of their facial features, voice, and physical likeness, in a move aimed at curbing the spread of AI-generated deepfakes. The proposed law, which the government says is the first of its kind in Europe, seeks to address the growing threat of digital impersonation by granting people explicit rights to their personal identity. The legislation, backed by an overwhelming majority in parliament, will allow individuals to demand the removal of unauthorized deepfake content from online platforms. Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said on Thursday that the bill was intended to send a strong message that every person has the right to control their own appearance and voice. “We are sending an unequivocal message that everybody has the right to their own body, their own voice and their own facial features,” he said. “Human beings can be run through the digital copy machine and be misused for all sorts of purposes, and I’m not willing to accept that.” The ministry defines deepfakes as highly realistic digital imitations of a person’s appearance or voice generated by artificial intelligence. Under the new law, such digital creations would be prohibited unless consent has been given by the person being imitated. In addition to protecting individuals from unauthorized likenesses, the law will also apply to performances, barring the creation of digital replicas of artists without their consent. Those found in violation of the rules may be required to pay compensation to the affected parties. While the law aims to strengthen personal rights in the digital space, the government clarified that it would not apply to satire or parody, which will continue to be protected under existing exemptions. The proposed changes are expected to be opened for public consultation before the summer recess, with formal presentation to the Danish parliament slated for the autumn.
