Post by : Rameen Ariff

Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have taken legal action in India to safeguard their voices, images, and personality rights amid rising concerns over artificial intelligence. The couple filed a lawsuit against Google’s YouTube, claiming the platform hosts AI-generated videos that misuse their identities. They have requested the court to remove such content and prevent these videos from being used to train AI models.

The court documents, reviewed by news agencies, show the Bachchans are challenging both existing infringing videos and future misuse of their content for AI training. They argue that YouTube’s policies, which allow creators to use videos for AI model training, could amplify false or misleading portrayals, potentially damaging their reputation and intellectual property rights.

Currently, India does not have explicit laws protecting personality rights as seen in some U.S. states. However, a few Bollywood celebrities have started approaching courts to protect their images, voices, and likeness. The Bachchans’ case is among the most high-profile, focusing on deepfakes and AI-generated content that can rapidly spread online once uploaded.

YouTube, with over 600 million users in India, is the country’s largest video platform, often referred to as “the new TV for India.” Celebrity content, especially Bollywood videos, remains highly popular. The couple asserts that YouTube has a responsibility to shield artists from harmful AI content, given its significant influence.

The lawsuit against Google spans over 1,500 pages and also targets smaller sellers misusing their images on merchandise such as posters, mugs, stickers, and fake autographs. The Bachchans are seeking $450,000 in damages along with a permanent injunction to prevent further misuse. The court has already ordered the removal of 518 links containing offensive or harmful material.

The court filings cite several misleading AI-generated videos, including one showing Abhishek inappropriately kissing an actress, another depicting a scene with Aishwarya and Salman Khan while Abhishek appears upset, and a video where a crocodile chases Abhishek. These creations blur reality, risking damage to the couple’s reputation and dignity.

AI-generated Bollywood content is becoming increasingly common on YouTube, with channels like “AI Bollywood Ishq” posting hundreds of videos that receive millions of views. These clips often place AI-generated versions of stars in fabricated love stories or dramatic scenarios. The Bachchans argue that using such content to train AI models could spread false narratives widely, harming public figures.

Legal experts note that pursuing YouTube directly may be challenging since the platform does not create the content. However, courts could pressure YouTube to strengthen policies or expedite takedowns for celebrity-related violations. Intellectual property specialists suggest that, while YouTube might not be directly responsible, it could be asked to implement stronger measures to protect public figures.

The case underscores a global challenge in the entertainment industry: generative AI can create realistic fake videos, images, and voices within minutes. Celebrities face the dual threat of false stories and misuse of their likeness for profit. While YouTube allows creators to opt into AI training, this exposes stars to potential infringement when content goes viral.

The Delhi High Court has asked Google to provide a formal response, with the next hearing scheduled for January 15. This legal battle marks a crucial moment in India’s debate on AI and personality rights and could influence how online platforms handle celebrity protection and shape future regulations in the age of artificial intelligence.

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