11 July 2025, Kathmandu
Denmark is poised to become a trailblazer in the fight against AI deepfakes, proposing groundbreaking changes to its copyright law.
Denmark’s Landmark Deepfake Law
This new legislation, enjoying broad political support, aims to grant individuals explicit copyright over their face, voice, and body – a significant move that could reshape digital rights across Europe and beyond.
Empowering Individuals in the Age of AI
The core of Denmark’s proposal is to give people the legal right to control their digital likeness. This means if an AI-generated deepfake – whether a fake video, audio clip, or image – uses an individual’s appearance or voice without permission, they would have the power to demand its removal and even seek compensation.
Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt emphasized the necessity of this shift, stating that everyone owns the rights to their face and voice. He highlighted the unprecedented ways in which people can now be digitally copied and misused, making such legal safeguards crucial.
Key Aspects of the Proposed Law
Copyright over Likeness: Individuals will be able to claim rights to their physical appearance and voice, treating them much like intellectual property.
Enforcement: Victims can demand the takedown of unauthorized deepfake content. Tech platforms that fail to comply could face substantial fines.
Exceptions for Freedom of Expression: The law will include provisions for parody and satire, ensuring that freedom of expression is protected while curbing malicious uses.
Targeted Harm: The focus is on preventing harmful applications of deepfake technology, such as non-consensual explicit videos, scams, and the dissemination of false political content.
Timeline: The law is expected to be finalized this fall and take effect before the end of 2025.
Setting a European Precedent
Denmark’s initiative is particularly notable as it prepares to take over the EU presidency in 2025. The country plans to advocate for similar protections to be adopted across other European nations, potentially setting a new standard for AI regulation and personal digital sovereignty within the bloc.
Why This Matters?
Many experts view this as a pivotal step in restoring individual control in an era where AI can effortlessly clone voices, faces, and even entire body movements.
As deepfake technology becomes more sophisticated and accessible, robust legal frameworks are essential to protect individuals from exploitation, misinformation, and reputational damage.
Denmark’s proactive approach offers a compelling model for how societies can adapt their laws to the profound implications of generative AI, fostering a more secure and trustworthy digital environment for everyone.
This pioneering legislation could inspire other countries to adopt similar measures, leading to a more comprehensive global framework for managing the ethical and legal challenges posed by advanced AI.
For more: Denmark’s Landmark Deepfake Law