Denmark Introduces New Law Against Deepfakes
copenhagen, vrijdag, 27 juni 2025.
The Danish government is introducing a legal amendment to penalise the creation and distribution of deepfakes. By granting copyright to physical characteristics and voices, citizens will be able to halt unauthorised AI-generated content and claim compensation. Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt emphasises that this is a crucial step to protect people’s reputation and safety, while parodies and satires remain exempt from the law. Denmark is the first European country to adopt this approach and hopes other nations will follow suit.
Legal Amendment Against Deepfakes
The Danish government has announced that it will introduce a legal amendment to penalise the creation and distribution of deepfakes. This legislation will ensure that individuals gain copyright over their own physical features and voice, giving them the right to stop unauthorised AI generation and claim compensation [1][2][3]. Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt stressed that this is a critical step to protect the reputation and safety of citizens [1][2][3].
Definition and Protection
A deepfake is defined as a highly realistic digital representation of a person, including their appearance and voice [1]. The new legislation will ensure that individuals have the right to compel online platforms to remove unauthorised deepfake content if shared without consent [1][2][3]. However, parodies and satires will remain permitted and fall outside the scope of this law [1][2][3].
Implementation and Sanctions
The Danish government has received support from nearly all parliamentarians for this legal amendment [2][3]. If adopted, tech platforms may be required to remove deepfake material in cases of copyright infringement. Offenders could face fines or even imprisonment [2][3]. Minister Engel-Schmidt stated that the government is prepared to impose strict sanctions if tech platforms fail to comply [1][2][3].
Impact and Future Prospects
This legal amendment represents a significant step in the fight against disinformation and the protection of personal integrity. Denmark is the first European country to adopt this approach and hopes other countries will follow [2][3]. Minister Engel-Schmidt will present the plan to his European colleagues during Denmark’s EU presidency [1][2][3]. AI experts fear that deepfakes could be used for disinformation campaigns during elections, underscoring the urgency of these measures [3].
Practical Tips for Identifying Fake News
To combat the spread of fake news and deepfakes, we offer some practical tips for readers:
- Verify Sources: Ensure information comes from reliable sources. Check if multiple media outlets report the same news [GPT].
- Media Literacy: Learn to think critically about media content. Look for indicators of fake news, such as poorly written articles, unknown authors, and sensational headlines [GPT].
- Fact-Checking: Use fact-checking websites to verify information. Sites like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact can be helpful [GPT].
- Use Technology: Employ tools and browser extensions that automatically detect and warn about fake news. Some browsers offer this functionality [GPT].
- Education and Awareness: Participate in workshops and training sessions on media literacy and disinformation. This helps better understand how fake news spreads and how to counter it [GPT].