Denmark wants to strengthen personal rights against deepfakes
Appearance, voice, general appearance – Danes are to be granted a kind of enforceable copyright in future. This could set a precedent in the EU.
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As part of its EU Council Presidency from July 1, 2025, Denmark wants to introduce an initiative to better protect citizens from the use of their personal data in deepfakes. A corresponding national law is to be submitted to the Danish parliament before the summer break. It could then be put to a vote there in the fall.
Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt told the British daily Guardian: "With the bill, we agree on the clear message that everyone has the right to their own body, voice and facial features. However, the current law clearly does not protect people from generative AI."
Extended right of personality
The bill goes beyond what is known as personality rights in most countries. The entire appearance of a person, including their nature and their means of expression, is to be protected as their property. This probably corresponds to "likeness", which is worthy of protection under US law and can also be licensed. One example is a digitally resurrected Marylin Monroe.
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In Denmark, where Minister Engel-Schmidt is counting on broad support from several parties, the regulation is also to be enshrined in copyright law. Citizens would then be granted extended rights to depictions of themselves. This should make it easier for them to demand the removal of deepfakes from platforms, for example. In addition, the law should also protect works of art from which, according to the Guardian, a "realistic, digitally created imitation" has been produced. However, parodies or satire will not be affected.
(nie)
