The Bombay High Court has granted actor Preity Zinta temporary relief in her ongoing legal fight against unauthorized online content, including AI-generated deepfakes and altered images that misuse her identity.
Zinta approached the court to seek protection against the exploitation of her likeness on various digital platforms. During the court session, the judges stressed the importance of social media platforms in controlling such content and adhering to the Information Technology Rules.
Justice Madhav Jamdar raised concerns about the rising misuse of AI-generated materials, questioning social media companies about their role in preventing these issues. He remarked to Meta’s legal representative, “You should be more vigilant about your platform being misused. Action from your side could deter offenders, enhancing your reputation instead of complicity in violating citizens’ rights.”
In response, Meta’s counsel mentioned the company’s efforts to remove such content whenever possible.
Zinta’s attorney, Venkatesh Dhond, informed the court that they had identified around 275 YouTube links featuring AI-generated or altered videos and images of the actress. These materials reportedly infringe upon Zinta’s personality rights and publicity rights by using her likeness without permission.
The court acknowledged Zinta’s extensive career, noting that she has spent over 25 years in the film industry, appearing in more than 40 films. It recognized the potential damage to her reputation from unauthorized content that mimics her image and persona.
“The creation of such altered content violates the plaintiff’s personality, publicity, and moral rights,” the court stated, emphasizing the protections offered under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee the right to dignity and personal liberty.
As a result of the proceedings, the Bombay High Court determined that Zinta had made a compelling case and granted her interim relief, allowing her to revise her legal documents if necessary. Officials from Meta assured the court they would remove the links identified in Zinta’s complaint but also requested the option to contest future complaints involving legitimate content.
The court agreed to this request and allowed Google LLC the same privilege, clarifying that should either platform raise objections in the future, Zinta could return to court for further guidance.
