BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court to safeguard his personality and publicity rights from unauthorized exploitation on online and digital platforms, including through AI-generated and morphed content. The case, listed for a hearing before Justice Subramonium Prasad, involves Chadha seeking relief against various defendants, including unidentified parties, for allegedly misusing his persona for commercial purposes online. The plea specifically aims to remove deepfake and morphed content circulating online without his consent.
The issue arises amidst a surge in disputes over personality rights in the Delhi High Court, with a focus on AI-generated impersonation, deepfakes, and unauthorized commercial use of public figures’ identities. Raghav Chadha’s case is part of a trend where prominent personalities are asserting their rights to protect against unauthorized use of their identities before the court. Notable figures like Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Gavaskar, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and various actors and public figures have also sought legal recourse to prevent misuse of their likeness or AI-generated imitations.
The recent move by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to secure his personality and publicity rights in response to deepfake videos falsely depicting him praising Pakistan highlights the seriousness of the issue. Tharoor emphasized the threat such videos pose to his reputation and India’s international image, underscoring the need for legal protection against misinformation and unauthorized use of one’s identity.
