The Bombay High Court has granted actor Preity Zinta permission to initiate legal proceedings against tech giants Google and Meta over the creation and dissemination of artificial intelligence-generated deepfake content. The suit alleges that these platforms have collectively 'created, uploaded, disseminated, and made available to the general public' manipulated digital media without the actor's consent.
Legal Action Against Tech Platforms
Zinta's legal team argued that the deepfake videos and images, which were widely circulated on platforms owned by Google and Meta, violated her personality rights and privacy. The court, after reviewing the submissions, allowed the suit to proceed, emphasizing the need to address the growing menace of deepfakes in the digital space.
Implications for Digital Rights
This case underscores the increasing legal scrutiny on tech companies regarding user-generated content and AI misuse. The Bombay High Court's decision could set a precedent for how Indian courts handle deepfake-related cases, particularly those involving public figures.
The actor seeks damages and a court order directing the platforms to take down all offending content and implement measures to prevent future violations. The next hearing is scheduled for next month.
