The Danish government is taking a bold step to modernize its copyright laws by granting its citizens stronger rights over their own bodies, facial features, and voices. This groundbreaking legislation aims to combat the rising threat of deepfakes and ensure individuals have control over their digital likenesses. While the proposal is still in the pipeline, it has already garnered support across political parties, signaling a unified effort to enhance personal rights in the age of AI.
Denmark’s culture department is preparing to submit the official bill, emphasizing the importance of protecting personal identity against the misuse of generative AI technologies. “Our message is clear: everyone has the right to their own body, voice, and facial features,” said Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Denmark’s culture minister. “Current laws don’t adequately safeguard people from the risks posed by deepfake creation and distribution.”
In the United States, several states have implemented laws targeting deepfakes, mainly focusing on election interference and nonconsensual explicit content. However, these protections may soon face challenges, as a proposed federal budget reconciliation bill could limit state authority to regulate AI for the next decade. This ongoing debate highlights the urgent need for comprehensive legislation to address the evolving landscape of AI-generated content and personal privacy.
