Denmark Moves to Ban Deepfakes Amid Rising Global Concerns
Denmark Moves to Ban Deepfakes Amid Rising Global Concerns
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Denmark is preparing to introduce one of the world’s toughest laws against deepfakes — digitally altered images, videos, or audio created using artificial intelligence — in response to growing misuse of the technology, Arab News reported.
The proposed legislation, expected to pass early next year, would amend Danish copyright law to grant citizens ownership over their likeness and voice. This would allow individuals to demand the removal of manipulated media shared without consent, while still permitting parody and satire. Tech companies that fail to act could face heavy fines.
The move follows mounting public concern after incidents like that of Marie Watson, a Danish video game streamer, who discovered a deepfake image depicting her nude. Similar cases have targeted both celebrities and private citizens, with experts warning of escalating risks to privacy, dignity, and democracy.
Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said the bill has broad parliamentary support, citing threats to democratic trust and misinformation. “If you can deepfake a politician without their ability to remove it, it undermines democracy,” he said.
The legislation mirrors growing international action: the United States criminalized the publication of non-consensual intimate deepfakes in May, while South Korea has tightened regulations on AI-generated pornography.
AI expert Henry Ajder welcomed the Danish initiative, saying current laws offer little recourse to victims. “Right now, there isn’t a huge amount people can do to protect themselves,” he said.
Denmark’s proposal has drawn interest from several EU countries, including France and Ireland, signaling a potential regional shift toward tighter AI content regulation.
