Source: The Times of India

The Times of India reports that the Bombay High Court has granted a significant interim injunction in favor of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, ordering several online platforms and unknown defendants to remove AI-generated content that infringes on her personality and publicity rights. The actress approached the court after discovering deepfake videos and images that used her likeness in a derogatory and unauthorized manner, causing harm to her professional reputation and personal dignity. This ruling is a major step in the ongoing effort to protect the rights of public figures against the misuse of generative AI technologies.

In its decision, the Court emphasized that an individual's right to their own image and personality is an inherent part of their right to privacy and dignity. The judge noted that the ease with which AI can create realistic yet false representations poses a unique threat that requires immediate judicial intervention. The order directs social media companies and domain hosts to proactively identify and take down the infringing material, highlighting the responsibility of digital intermediaries in preventing the spread of harmful synthetic content. This case underscores the judiciary’s willingness to expand the scope of personality rights to cover modern technological threats.

The summary notes that this ruling follows a series of similar cases in India where prominent figures have sought legal protection against deepfakes. By granting this injunction, the Bombay High Court has reinforced the legal principle that technological advancements do not grant a license to violate the fundamental rights of individuals. The case is expected to serve as a vital precedent for future litigation involving the unauthorized commercial or defamatory use of AI-generated likenesses. It also calls for clearer legislative frameworks to address the specific challenges of deepfake production and the accountability of the platforms that host them.