Copyright europeantimes
Copenhagen — Denmark is preparing to adopt a groundbreaking legal framework that would give every citizen the right to control how their face, voice and body are used by artificial intelligence. The proposal, now under parliamentary discussion, could make Denmark the first country in the world to grant individuals full legal ownership of their digital likeness. The initiative, led by Denmark’s Ministry of Culture, would amend the Danish Copyright Act to include protections against the creation or use of “very realistic digital representations” — commonly known as deepfakes. This legislation seeks to protect people from unauthorised digital reproductions generated by AI, including manipulated videos, cloned voices and synthetic bodies. A new legal frontier for digital dignity Under the proposed law, individuals would be able to demand the removal of AI-generated content that misuses their image or voice and seek compensation from those responsible. Parody and satire would remain protected, but realistic imitations without consent could trigger legal action. Online platforms could also face fines if they fail to remove such material once notified. According to Euronews Next, this proposal would go beyond existing European frameworks such as the EU AI Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), treating a person’s likeness as intellectual property. It represents a legal recognition that personal identity in the digital age deserves the same protection as creative work. Restoring control in the age of AI manipulation Deepfakes have become increasingly sophisticated, blurring the line between authentic and fabricated content. From political disinformation to online fraud and revenge pornography, the misuse of synthetic media has sparked global concern. Danish lawmakers say the new legislation aims to restore “digital dignity” and help citizens reclaim control over how their identity appears in AI-generated contexts. “Your face, your rights,” The Times summarised in its coverage of the initiative. Legal experts see it as a potential model for other European nations looking to close the gap between technological innovation and human rights. Global precedent for AI ethics and human rights While Denmark’s proposed framework is still under debate, it has already influenced discussions in Brussels and other European capitals. The law could position Denmark as a leader in AI ethics and digital rights, complementing the EU’s broader strategy on trustworthy AI. By recognising the face and voice as personal intellectual property, Denmark’s initiative bridges two domains often treated separately — privacy and copyright — and reframes identity as something legally ownable in the digital sphere. If enacted, it could set a global precedent, empowering individuals to decide who may use or replicate their likeness, and under what conditions. As deepfake technology continues to evolve, Denmark’s move stands as a bold assertion of human agency in the algorithmic age — a reminder that technology must serve people, not the other way around. DenmarkDeepfakeAI lawDigital identityCopyright protectionArtificial intelligenceEU AI ActData privacyTechnology ethicsEurope
