Denmark Takes a Stand Against Deepfakes by Granting Citizens Copyrights on Their Bodies, Faces, and Voices

The Danish government is set to tackle the unauthorized creation and distribution of AI-generated deepfakes by amending copyright laws. This amendment will grant citizens rights over their bodies, facial features, and voices. If artificial intelligence companies utilize such personal data to produce content, individuals will be able to seek compensation if similarities are identified.

In the amendment, a deepfake is defined as a highly realistic digital representation of a person, encompassing their appearance and voice.

The proposed legislation signals that everyone has the right to control their body, voice, and facial features. However, the current copyright law does not adequately protect individuals from generative AI, explained Denmark’s Minister of Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt.

The discussion around this initiative is taking place amid the rapid advancement of AI technologies, which have made it easier to create convincing fake images, videos, or audio that mimic real individuals.

In theory, the amendment will empower Danish residents to demand the removal of such content from tech companies if deepfakes and similar materials are distributed without the owner’s consent. For those affected, violations of these regulations could lead to claims for compensation.

The government has emphasized that the new rules will not impact parodies and satire. Engel-Schmidt hopes other European nations will follow Denmark’s lead. He intends to utilize his country’s upcoming presidency in the Council of the European Union to share these plans with his counterparts across the union.

If tech companies fail to comply with the new law appropriately, they could face hefty fines, Engel-Schmidt noted. He added that violations might become the subject of investigations by the European Commission.