New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday moved the Delhi High Court against the publication of AI-generated deepfake videos that depict him praising Pakistan and making statements on politically sensitive issues. He sought protection of his personality rights, arguing that such content could harm India's international standing.
Court Proceedings
Justice Mini Pushkarna heard Tharoor's submissions and issued summons to social media platforms X and Meta, as well as the Central government. The court indicated that it would pass an interim order in favor of the petitioner. Tharoor, a former Union minister of external affairs, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, 'I am a former external affairs minister. It matters to India's standing as well... It is liable to be misused by foreign states.'
Tharoor's Argument
Tharoor's legal team argued that the deepfake videos are not only defamatory but also pose a threat to national security and diplomatic relations. The videos, which use artificial intelligence to manipulate Tharoor's likeness and voice, could be exploited by adversaries to create misinformation. The MP sought an injunction to prevent further dissemination and demanded the removal of existing content.
Broader Implications
This case highlights the growing concern over deepfake technology, which can create convincingly fake audio and video content. Legal experts note that personality rights, which protect an individual's name, image, and likeness from unauthorized commercial use, are increasingly relevant in the digital age. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how Indian courts handle AI-generated misinformation targeting public figures.
The court is expected to hear the matter further after receiving responses from the summoned parties.
