Denmark to grant copyright over likeness to combat deepfakes
Denmark is advancing a reform to grant individuals copyright over their likeness, targeting the rapid spread of AI-generated deepfakes that imitate a person’s appearance or voice without consent. The proposal, expected to pass in early 2026, would prohibit sharing deepfakes that replicate personal characteristics and empower citizens to request takedowns from platforms. Parody and satire would remain permitted, though criteria for exemption will require careful delineation to avoid abuse and overreach.
The initiative addresses a gap where victims currently have limited remedies absent clear legal bases. Experts note the sharp rise in realism and accessibility of generative tools from major providers, increasing risks across privacy, dignity, and information integrity. Denmark’s approach aims to deter non-consensual intimate imagery and political manipulation, complementing measures seen in the United States and South Korea, and contributing to a broader European conversation on identity rights in the age of synthetic media.
Enforcement would focus on platforms rather than individual users. While ordinary users would likely avoid fines or criminal liability, large platforms that fail to remove infringing deepfakes could face substantial penalties. Industry practice offers some guidance: YouTube’s content management systems illustrate workable models balancing copyright protection and creative freedom, though replication across TikTok, Twitch, Meta services, and others remains uneven.
Stakeholders in creative industries and voice talent support the bill, citing practical obstacles in current takedown processes when platform policies demand a clear legal basis. The proposed likeness right would align takedown requests with a recognized statutory claim, strengthening remedies for performers and everyday citizens. As Denmark holds the EU’s rotating presidency, interest from France and Ireland signals potential alignment or future EU-level action, situating the Danish bill as a prominent test case for protecting identity in digital environments.
