### Denmark Takes a Stand Against Deepfakes: New Law to Protect Citizens' Likeness Denmark is poised to become a pioneer in digital rights protection by introducing a groundbreaking law that grants individuals automatic copyright over their own likeness, including their body, facial features, and voice. This legislative move aims to combat the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology, which can create misleading and harmful representations of individuals without their consent. Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating, "Human beings can be run through the digital copy machine and be misused for all sorts of purposes and I'm not willing to accept that" [https://nypost.com/2025/06/27/world-news/denmark-to-give-citizens-copyright-protections-over-their-own-image-and-voice-to-combat-ai-deepfakes]. ### Structure of the Proposed Legislation 1. **Automatic Copyright**: The law will automatically grant individuals copyright over their likeness, allowing them to control how their image and voice are used [https://www.techspot.com/news/108485-landmark-deepfake-law-aims-give-danish-citizens-legal.html]. 2. **Platform Accountability**: Online platforms will be held accountable for failing to remove illegal deepfake content, facing potential fines [https://dig.watch/updates/denmark-proposes-landmark-law-to-protect-citizens-from-deepfake-misuse]. 3. **Legal Framework**: The proposed legislation is a significant amendment to existing copyright laws, positioning Denmark as a leader in the fight against digital identity theft [https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/06/27/denmark-deepfakes-copyright-law]. 4. **Public Awareness**: The government aims to raise awareness about the risks associated with deepfakes and the importance of protecting individual rights in the digital age [https://www.westernjournal.com/countrys-bold-plan-protects-citizens-ai-threat]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Legislative Context**: Denmark's proposed law is part of a broader European initiative to enhance digital rights and protect citizens from the misuse of AI technologies [https://www.techspot.com/news/108485-landmark-deepfake-law-aims-give-danish-citizens-legal.html]. - **Public Sentiment**: There is a growing concern among citizens regarding the potential for deepfakes to harm reputations and manipulate public perception, underscoring the need for legal protections [https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/27/business/denmark-ai-law-scli-intl]. - **International Implications**: If successful, Denmark's approach could serve as a model for other countries grappling with similar challenges posed by AI and digital identity theft [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/denmark-moves-to-protect-identity-rights-amid-ai-deepfake-concerns/story]. ### Conclusion: A Landmark Move for Digital Rights In summary, Denmark's proposed law represents a significant step forward in protecting individual rights in the face of advancing technology. The key points include: 1. **Automatic Copyright**: Individuals will have legal control over their likeness and voice. 2. **Accountability for Platforms**: Online platforms will face penalties for failing to manage deepfake content. 3. **Leadership in Digital Rights**: Denmark aims to set a precedent for other nations in safeguarding citizens' digital identities. 4. **Public Awareness and Education**: The government is committed to informing the public about the implications of deepfakes and the importance of legal protections. This initiative not only addresses immediate concerns regarding deepfakes but also lays the groundwork for a more secure digital future for all citizens [https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/denmark-to-introduce-law-giving-individuals-automatic-copyright-over-their-own-likeness-in-effort-to-tackle-ai-and-deepfakes].