Tabu wins big in court against deepfakes

Bollywood actress Tabu has secured a significant legal victory against the misuse of deepfake technology. The Delhi High Court has issued an interim injunction to protect her personality and publicity rights. Justice Jyoti Singh's single bench ordered major digital platforms including Google, Meta, X and Reddit to promptly remove over 150 unauthorised and misleading links created using Tabu's name and image.

According to the court order, Tabu's real name Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, stage name 'Tabu', still images, film clips, voice and signature cannot be used commercially without permission. Additionally, any content created by distorting her image, voice or identity using artificial intelligence or deepfake technology for commercial purposes has been prohibited. Selling products and merchandise using her name or image without her consent has also been barred.

Recently, allegations surfaced that clips from Tabu's films and interviews were being edited using artificial intelligence to create obscene and distorted content. Fake Instagram accounts were opened in her name to make fraudulent bookings for events and spread false statements attributed to her.

Tabu approached the court stating that these activities were damaging her hard-earned image and personal dignity. Based on her petition, the court directed digital platforms to remove the unauthorised content.