The Delhi High Court has decided to issue an interim order safeguarding Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s personality and publicity rights. This action comes in response to a lawsuit aiming to remove deepfake videos and AI-generated content falsely depicting Tharoor as praising Pakistan. Justice Mini Pushkarna, on a single-judge Bench, has summoned Tharoor’s plea and instructed respondents, including the Centre and social media intermediaries like Meta and X, to respond within four weeks.
Senior advocate Amit Sibal, representing Tharoor, highlighted that several deepfake videos falsely attributed politically sensitive statements to the Congress leader. Despite efforts under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, the infringing content persisted through various URLs, posing a threat to Tharoor’s reputation and India’s international image. Sibal emphasized the potential diplomatic repercussions of misusing Tharoor’s likeness, stressing the impact on India’s reputation.
The case involves the alleged misuse of Tharoor’s identity and persona through AI-generated and morphed content on digital platforms. Tharoor’s legal action is part of a broader trend where prominent figures seek protection against unauthorized use of their identity. The Delhi High Court’s involvement reflects a growing concern over deepfake technology’s implications for individuals’ rights and reputations.
