In a significant ruling addressing the misuse of artificial intelligence, the Bombay High Court has stepped in to protect actor Shilpa Shetty from the unauthorized circulation of digitally manipulated content. The court, during its vacation period, issued an interim order on Friday, providing immediate relief to the actor.
Court's Stern Directive Against Digital Exploitation
The single-judge bench of Justice Advait Sethna directed various social media platforms and AI-linked entities, including unidentified persons, to immediately take down any morphed or manipulated images and videos featuring Shilpa Shetty. The order specifically mandates the deletion of links, posts, URLs, and websites hosting such content.
Justice Sethna, after reviewing the material presented by Shetty's lawyer, Sana Raees Khan, found the evidence "prima facie extremely disturbing." The judge emphasized that no personality, especially a woman, can be portrayed in a manner that infringes upon her fundamental right to privacy without her knowledge or consent.
Legal Counsel Highlights Weaponization of AI
Speaking after the order, advocate Sana Raees Khan elaborated on the grave implications of such AI-based abuse. "Deepfakes and AI-based morphing reduce a person’s identity into a tool for abuse and profit," Khan stated.
She explained that in Shetty's case, the alleged cloning of her face, voice, and mannerisms to create and monetize content represents a dangerous trend. "It shows how AI can be weaponised to cause instant reputational harm," Khan said. She praised the court's recognition of this act as a severe violation of privacy and dignity, asserting that such judicial intervention is crucial to deter misuse in an era where damage to reputation can be instantaneous.
A Stand for Digital Dignity
This interim order sets a notable precedent in the Indian legal landscape concerning personality rights in the digital age. The case underscores the escalating challenge posed by advanced AI tools that can create hyper-realistic fake content.
Khan's statement concluded with a powerful assertion: "A woman’s face, body and identity cannot be treated as commodities for digital exploitation." The court's proactive stance during its vacation highlights the urgency of the matter. The relief granted restrains both known and unknown entities from further publishing such manipulated content, offering a layer of protection while the legal proceedings continue.
