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The Bombay High Court issued an interim injunction that prohibits any unauthorised creation, distribution or commercial use of AI‑generated deepfakes, morphed images or synthetic voice recordings of actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The order applies to technology platforms, AI developers, e‑commerce sites and digital media entities. The court also directed the immediate takedown of existing infringing content and granted a John Doe order to pursue unidentified infringers. The case involves 18 defendants and will be heard again on Dec 10.
On October 1, 2026, Justice Madhav Jamdar of the Bombay High Court heard a petition filed by actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu seeking protection against unauthorised AI‑generated deepfakes that used her name, image and voice. The plaintiff argued that such synthetic content violated her personality, publicity and moral rights under Indian constitutional and copyright law.
The court found the plaintiff’s prima‑facie case convincing and ordered an interim injunction that restrains any further unauthorised AI use of her identity. The order covers a broad range of defendants, including technology platforms, AI developers, digital media firms and e‑commerce portals, and mandates the removal of existing infringing material.
The judgment also granted a John Doe order, allowing the plaintiff to pursue legal action against unidentified infringers, and cited Section 62 of the Copyright Act for jurisdiction, alongside Section 38B for performers’ moral rights. The matter is scheduled for a further hearing on December 10, where the court may consider permanent relief and damages.
Källinformation: indiatoday.in ↗
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The ruling marks one of the first Indian judicial decisions to explicitly address AI‑generated deepfakes under personality‑rights and copyright law. By invoking Article 19(1)(a) and Article 21 of the Constitution, as well as Sections 38B and 62 of the Copyright Act, the court signals that AI‑driven misuse of a public figure’s likeness can be treated as a legal violation, not merely a free‑speech issue. This sets a precedent for future litigation against AI‑generated content that infringes on privacy, dignity and moral rights, potentially influencing how platforms moderate synthetic media and how creators obtain consent for AI‑based reproductions.
The decision clarifies that AI‑generated deepfakes are not exempt from existing personality‑right protections, bridging a gap between traditional copyright law and emerging synthetic media technologies.
By anchoring the ruling in constitutional rights to privacy and dignity, the court provides a legal framework that could be referenced in future AI‑related disputes, both in India and in common‑law jurisdictions that look to Indian case law for comparative analysis.
The order may compel platforms to develop or enhance AI‑detection tools, content‑moderation policies, and consent‑management systems to avoid liability, thereby influencing industry standards for responsible AI deployment.
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Watch for compliance actions by major Indian and global platforms that host user‑generated content, as they may need to implement stricter verification and takedown mechanisms for AI‑synthetic media. Follow subsequent hearings, especially the Dec 10 date, for possible permanent injunctions or damages that could shape compensation models for personality‑right violations. Internationally, monitor whether other jurisdictions cite this decision when drafting AI‑deepfake regulations.
Implementation of takedown mechanisms by Indian platforms such as ShareChat, MX Player, and international services operating in India (e.g., TikTok, Instagram).
Potential legislative responses, as lawmakers may draft specific statutes addressing AI‑generated deepfakes, building on the court’s interpretation of existing law.
The outcome of the Dec 10 hearing, which could establish precedent‑setting damages or permanent injunctions, affecting how celebrities and public figures protect their digital likenesses.