Denmark to let people own their face, voice under proposed law

Denmark is set to become the first country in Europe to grant individuals copyright over their own likeness, voice, and body in an ambitious bid to combat the spread of AI-generated deepfakes.

According to a report by The Guardian, the Danish government announced that it will amend its copyright laws to ensure that every citizen has legal ownership over their personal features — including their face and voice — effectively giving them the right to demand the removal of AI-generated content shared without their consent.

Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said the proposed legislation is intended to send a strong signal that “everybody has the right to the way they look and sound.” The bill is expected to enter public consultation this summer and be formally submitted to parliament in the fall.

The initiative enjoys broad political backing, with nine out of ten Danish MPs reportedly in favor. It comes at a time when AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, enabling the creation of increasingly convincing fake images, videos, and audio clips that mimic real people.

The proposed law defines deepfakes as realistic digital reproductions of a person’s physical appearance and voice. While aiming to protect privacy and identity, the Danish government clarified that the law will not apply to satire and parody, which will remain protected forms of expression.