In a European first, Denmark plans to amend its copyright law to protect individuals against deepfakes by granting everyone the right to their own voice, appearance and facial features.

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The Danish government is preparing sweeping reforms to crack down on AI-generated imitations of real people, saying the law must catch up with the reality of generative technology. The change would give Danes legal grounds to have deepfakes removed from online platforms — and to seek compensation if their likeness is used without consent.

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“We are sending an unequivocal message that everybody has the right to their own body, their own voice and their own facial features,” said culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt, who called the reforms long overdue in the AI age. “Human beings can be run through the digital copy machine and misused for all sorts of purposes. I’m not willing to accept that.”

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The planned amendment, which already has cross-party support, defines deepfakes as realistic digital imitations of people — including not just how they look and sound, but also their gestures and expressions. It would also cover synthetic performances of artists created without their permission.

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Under the proposed law, deepfakes shared online without consent could be taken down and the person copied could be entitled to compensation. Parody and satire would remain protected.

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With AI-generated audio, video and images becoming easier and more convincing by the day, the government says the reforms are urgent. Engel-Schmidt confirmed Denmark would push for similar action across Europe when it takes up the rotating EU presidency.

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The minister also warned tech platforms to prepare for enforcement: “If platforms do not comply, they could face severe fines. This could become a matter for the European Commission.”

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Denmark’s proposal comes amid global concern over the impact of deepfakes on democracy, elections and personal safety. It could set a precedent for how European countries adapt copyright and identity laws to the risks posed by generative AI — especially as elections loom across the continent.

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