Denmark Plans to Combat Deepfakes by Allowing Individuals Ownership Over Their Facial Characteristics

Denmark plans to change its copyright law to safeguard people’s rights over their bodies, faces, and voices amid the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes. The government announced on Thursday that it intends to introduce Europe’s first legislation that would criminalize the creation and distribution of digital imitations of individuals’ identities without their consent. The proposal, which has bipartisan support, is awaiting consultation and is expected to be finalized this autumn. Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt stated that the legislation would send a “clear message” that people have the right to control their physical appearance and voice. Deepfakes are very realistic digital representations that can mislead observers. The changes would potentially allow individuals to request the removal of such content if it is shared without approval. The ban won’t apply to parodies or satire, and the government will take action against non-compliant tech platforms, including imposing hefty fines if needed. This move reflects a growing concern over AI technology’s rapid development, which makes it easier to produce convincing fake images, videos, or sounds.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/27/deepfakes-denmark-copyright-law-artificial-intelligence