By Hyacinth Estrada
The Danish government is eyeing the introduction of legislation that grants individuals copyright-like control over their own face, voice, and bodily features.
This initiative – believed to be the first of its kind in Europe – seeks to combat the rise of AI-generated deepfakes.
In particular, it aims to protect citizens from non-consensual digital imitations that have become alarmingly realistic due to rapid advancements in generative AI technology.
Majority of MPs favour new law
Nine out of 10 Danish MPs are allegedly in favour of the new law, which is anticipated to be submitted for parliamentary consultation before the summer recess and finalised in the autumn.
“In the bill, we agree and are sending an unequivocal message that everybody has the right to their own body, their own voice, and their own facial features, which is apparently not how the current law is protecting people against generative AI,” Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt told British daily newspaper The Guardian in an interview.
The bill redefines AI deepfakes as a hyper-realistic “digital representation of a person, including their appearance and voice,” The Guardian adds.
Through this legislation, people in Denmark will have the authority to request that unapproved AI-generated content be taken down from online sites.
Additionally, it provides artists whose performances are digitally copied without their permission to pursue legal action.
The law further establishes a precedent for holding platforms responsible, even though it expressly exempts satire and parody.
Significant fines or, in more extreme situations, involvement of the European Commission could result from noncompliance.
Struggling with the ramifications of deepfakes
The move comes as European nations struggle with the moral and legal ramifications of deepfakes in entertainment, media, and politics.
Engel-Schmidt said that the topic will be given top priority during Denmark’s next European Union presidency and expressed hope that Denmark’s proposal may lead to more extensive European reform.
“This is new ground we are breaking, and if the platforms are not complying with that, we are willing to take additional steps,” said Engel-Schmidt.
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