Your Face, Your Rights
In a world where today AI can easily copy your face, voice and even mannerisms, Denmark is stepping up it’s game and is focused on getting things right. Denmark is actually set to become the first country in the Europe and possibly first in the world to give people rights over their face. Well not just face, even voice and their facial features. And if this legislation passes, it could possibly change the way people think about privacy and digital technology.
What’s the Deepfake Dilemma All About?
If you don’t know what’s a Deepfake let me break it down for you. AI generates hyper realistic images, videos or audio clips within seconds, these creations are deepfakes. You would have seen Rashmika Mandanna’s AI generated video that went viral of her in a lift. Well that’s deepfake, it wasn’t even Rashmika in the video. Similarly, it can make anyone appear to say or do things they never actually did. From videos of celebrities like Rashmika to global leaders like Trump, deepfakes have shifted from harmless fun to serious threats.
At first it was all fun and games, but it turned dark real quick. People have created deepfakes to falsely impersonate politicians and fabricate damaging evidence. The consequences of the same are terrifying.
What does Copyrighting Your Own Face Mean?
In law school we were taught in Intellectual Property rights, copyright laws protect creations like books, music, films, and art. But what about your face and your voice? To combat Deepfakes, Denmark to grant copyright over its citizens’ facial features, as reported by Seasia. So, Denmark is planning to grant copyright protections to unique features that make you, YOU. Which means:
- No one can use your face or audio clip without your consent.
- You can demand the removal of any deepfake video that someone creates and uses without your permission.
- Furthermore, you can also ask for monetary compensation for any loss faced by you because of that deepfake.
This new law is going to treat your biometric as your intellectual property. So just like how artists have authority over their creations, you will too. What are the things on which the law will apply? To images, video, audio, and potentially even motion-capture data used in AI avatars. In other words this is digital ownership, redefined.
Why this Move Matters to the World
When we talk about small countries like Denmark, the stakes are higher as public trust and social stability are deeply valued. Do not be mistaken this law does not aim to protect just the individuals, but the society as a whole. Similarly for the world, deepfakes can damage reputations, spread misinformation, and can even disrupt national security sometimes.
As Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt put it:
Everybody has the right to their own body, their own voice, and their own facial features.
What about Creativity and Freedom of Speech?
As always, the critics have raised a fair point, questioning what happens in case of art, satire and parody. Can a deepfake be used for harmless comedy?
Well yes, yes it can! Denmark’s proposal answers this too. The law specifically allows exceptions for:
- Parody
- News reporting
- Any form of artistic expression
The motive behind passing this legislation is to stop malicious and harmful deepfakes. The intentions behind most deepfakes is to cause harm or ruin someone’s reputation. It’s not here to come in between of freedom of speech and creativity.
What are Going to be the Consequences for Tech Platforms?
If any Tech Platform allows the use of deepfakes under this law, they could face hefty fines. Furthermore, Denmark is also implying that if there’s going to be any sort of compliance issue, it may push for broader enforcement across the European Union. As Denmark is set to take over EU presidency, it is hoping that other countries will also inspire from the same.
Redefining Digital Rights in 2025
It’s scary how it has become hard to separate digital world from the real world. This legislation by Denmark is aiming at catching up. If our personal creations like songs, books, and movies have protection laws, why not protect the most personal aspect of ours? Our personal identity also needs the same level of protection, if not more. Many global organizations are already pushing for stronger AI rules, just like how UNESCO is driving AI governance and ethical standards worldwide.
