In a suit filed by actor Shilpa Shetty against the exploitation of her personality rights in the form of AI-generated altered images and videos on the internet, the Bombay High Court rendered a decision on Friday. The actor received substantial relief when the court declared the images to be “extremely disturbing and shocking” and mandated their removal from social media sites.
Bombay HC orders removal of AI-morphed images of Shilpa Shetty
In addition to requesting an order against websites and AI-generated content that purportedly contained altered and edited photos and videos of her, Shilpa had petitioned the court to defend her personality rights. The images posted on the numerous websites were deemed “prima facie extremely disturbing” by Justice Advait Sethna, who heard the case. According to the order, “no personality, much less a person and or a woman can be portrayed in a fashion which affects her fundamental right to privacy and that too, without her knowledge and or consent”.
According to the decision, Shilpa`s reputation and image will be damaged by the depictions, which were deemed indecent and objectionable. “In the interest of justice,” the high court ordered each defendant to remove the URLs from their platforms.
All about Shilpa Shetty`s lawsuit
According to Shilpa`s lawsuit, AI technologies were employed to mimic her voice and mannerisms in order to produce altered books, pictures, and other products without her consent. She requested an injunction to stop the offending content on all websites and to prevent them from utilizing her name, voice, or image without authorisation.
In order to prevent different entities (defendants) from utilizing her name, image, likeness, voice, and other distinguishing characteristics, Shetty has requested a broad injunction. She has also demanded a complete removal of any content that violates her right to privacy and personality, as well as damages of Rs 5 lakh against certain parties.
Shilpa last appeared on screen in the dramedy Sukhee (2023), where she played the title character. The movie didn`t do well financially. The actor will make a comeback to theaters in the Kannada pan-Indian movie KD: The Devil in 2026. In addition to Shilpa, Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, Reeshma Nanaiah, Jisshu Sengupta, and Nora Fatehi are also featured in the movie.