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Shashi Tharoor Moves Delhi HC to Protect Personality Rights from AI Misuse

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights against unauthorized use of his name and likeness on digital platforms. The plea specifically targets AI-generated and morphed content, including deepfakes, that misuse his identity without consent. The case is set to be heard by Justice Mini Pushkarna on Friday, with several unnamed defendants named as John Doe parties. This adds to a growing list of celebrities and public figures, including Gautam Gambhir and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who have recently secured court orders against such misuse.

Key Points: Shashi Tharoor Seeks Protection of Personality Rights

  • Shashi Tharoor files suit in Delhi HC for personality rights
  • Alleges AI-generated deepfakes and unauthorized commercial use
  • Case to be heard by Justice Mini Pushkarna on Friday
  • Follows similar relief granted to Aman Gupta, Gautam Gambhir, others
2 min read

Shashi Tharoor moves Delhi HC seeking protection of personality rights

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor approaches Delhi HC to stop misuse of his name, likeness, and AI-generated deepfakes on digital platforms.

"The plea is also stated to seek the removal of deepfake and AI-morphed content allegedly circulating online using his identity without consent. - Court listing"

New Delhi, May 7

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights against the alleged misuse of his name, likeness and identity across digital platforms, including through AI-generated and morphed content.

As per the cause list published on the official website of the Delhi High Court, the matter is scheduled to be heard on Friday by a single-judge Bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna.

Tharoor has reportedly sought relief against several defendants, including unidentified persons impleaded as John Doe parties, alleging unauthorised use and commercial exploitation of his persona.

The plea is also stated to seek the removal of deepfake and AI-morphed content allegedly circulating online using his identity without consent.

The development comes amid a growing number of personality rights disputes before the Delhi High Court involving allegations of AI-generated impersonation, deepfakes, fake endorsements and unauthorised commercial exploitation of celebrity identities.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court said that it would pass an interim order protecting the personality and publicity rights of entrepreneur and Shark Tank India judge Aman Gupta in a suit alleging widespread unauthorised commercial exploitation of his identity across digital platforms.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela indicated that it would pass an interim order after hearing submissions made on behalf of Gupta, co-founder of electronics brand boAt Lifestyle. The suit alleged circulation of fake endorsements, AI-generated impersonations, unauthorised merchandise, fraudulent event-booking services and objectionable online content linked to Gupta's identity.

The Shashi Tharoor case adds to a growing list of high-profile personalities invoking their personality and publicity rights before the Delhi High Court.

In recent months, former cricketer and current head coach Gautam Gambhir, former cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, actors Arjun Kapoor, Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Abhishek Bachchan, singer Jubin Nautiyal, filmmaker Karan Johar, and podcaster Raj Shamani have secured court protection against the unauthorised use of their identity, likeness, or AI-generated imitations.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Finally someone with real influence is taking this seriously. These deepfakes aren't just hurting celebrities, they're eroding trust in everything we see online. If a lawmaker's voice can be faked, what hope do ordinary citizens have against scams?
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Michael C
As an Indian living abroad, I see these fake endorsement videos targeting NRIs too. They use Tharoor's eloquence to sell fake investments. This HC case is a wake-up call for all democracies about AI accountability.
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Priya S
While I support the move, I wonder if the courts will be consistent. They've protected cricketers and film stars, but what about common people whose images are used in matrimonial ads or for fraud? Every Indian deserves this protection, not just the famous ones.
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Rohit L
Aiyo, these deepfake makers are getting too creative! My mother forwarded me a video of Tharoor speaking in Malayalam (which he doesn't even speak fluently) and she believed it was real! This is necessary, but awareness campaigns are equally important.
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Ashwin V
What's the legal basis though? Indian courts have been using 'personality rights' as a common law concept, but we need clear legislation. The UK has its own framework, why can't India have a Digital Identity Protection Act? Just my 2 paise.
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