What happened
The Delhi High Court issued an interim order directing Meta Platforms Inc. to remove specific AI-generated sexual deepfakes, morphed images, and fabricated statements attributed to actor and MP Kangana Ranaut within 72 hours. Justice Vikas Mahajan also ordered the blocking of offending sites by internet and telecom providers. The court found a prima facie case that Ranaut holds proprietary rights over her personality, image, and likeness, and restrained defendants from using these attributes without authorization until the next hearing.
The Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Vikas Mahajan, directed Meta Platforms Inc. to remove 18 specific links, primarily Instagram posts, reels, and accounts, containing AI-generated sexual deepfakes and fabricated statements attributed to Kangana Ranaut. The order requires removal within 72 hours of the order being sent to Meta, followed by a compliance affidavit within two weeks.
The court also ordered the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Telecommunications to direct internet and telecom providers to block access to the listed sites within the same 72-hour window. The court noted that Rule 3(1)(b)(ii) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, prohibits intermediaries from hosting obscene or pornographic content, and Rule 3(1)(b)(v) covers fabricated quotes.
Justice Mahajan found a prima facie case that Ranaut's stature grants her proprietary rights over her personality and associated attributes. The court restrained defendants from using her name, image, likeness, voice, speeches, signature, or persona without authorization until the next hearing. Ranaut's counsel did not press for the removal of a satirical meme, which was therefore excluded from the order.
The court acknowledged the challenge of 'mirror, cloned and replacement accounts' and granted a 'dynamic injunction' allowing Ranaut to notify further infringing URLs for removal without filing a fresh suit. Defendants may seek clarification on link coverage or approach the court if a website is blocked despite not being primarily infringing, provided they undertake not to infringe her rights.
Source details: livelawbiz.com ↗
Why it matters
This ruling establishes a concrete legal precedent in India for enforcing personality rights against AI-generated synthetic media. By mandating rapid takedown and site blocking under existing intermediary guidelines, the court provides a practical mechanism for public figures to combat non-consensual AI deepfakes. It signals that AI-generated content violating personality rights is subject to immediate judicial intervention, influencing how platforms and regulators handle similar and security incidents.
This decision is significant for and policy in India as it applies existing legal frameworks to the specific context of AI-generated synthetic media. It confirms that personality rights extend to protection against AI deepfakes, providing a clear legal basis for takedown requests.
The order highlights the practical utility of intermediary guidelines in addressing AI-generated harm. By leveraging rules against obscene content and fabricated statements, the court created a rapid response mechanism that does not require new legislation, setting a precedent for handling similar AI incidents.
The ruling impacts platform liability and enforcement. Meta is explicitly ordered to act within a strict timeframe, and telecom providers are ordered to block sites, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigating the spread of harmful AI content.
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What to watch next
Monitor Meta's compliance affidavit due in two weeks and the blocking of sites by telecom providers. Watch for the next hearing on February 3, 2027, and whether this 'dynamic injunction' approach is adopted in other AI deepfake cases involving public figures or private individuals in India.
The compliance affidavits from Meta and telecom providers due in two weeks will indicate the practical effectiveness of the 72-hour takedown and blocking orders.
The next hearing on February 3, 2027, will determine if the interim order is extended or modified, and whether the 'dynamic injunction' for new URLs is upheld.
Legal experts and other public figures may cite this ruling in future cases involving AI-generated deepfakes, potentially leading to a broader application of personality rights in the context of synthetic media.