Denmark Plans to Give Citizens Legal Rights Over Their Own Faces and Voices
In today’s digital world, people and companies can copy and use others’ faces, voices, and personalities without permission. With the rise of deepfake technology, individuals find it harder to control how others use their image online.\
To protect its people, Denmark is working on a new law. The law would give every citizen the right to stop others from using their face, voice, or body in digital content without permission.
Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt is leading this effort. He believes that others should not turn people into digital copies or use them in ways they never agreed to. “We should not accept that others misuse people digitally,” he said in an interview.
This law would allow anyone in Denmark to ask websites and platforms to remove deepfake content made without their consent. It would also protect artists when others copy their voices or performances without approval. People affected may even be able to claim compensation.
Creators can still make content as jokes or parodies, but officials know that some people might try to misuse this exception.
The proposal already has strong support from politicians—nine out of ten members of Parliament are backing it. After a public review period, the law is expected to be introduced in Parliament this fall. If tech companies don’t cooperate, the government is ready to fine them or even involve the European Commission.
Denmark could become one of the first countries to give people full legal control over their digital likeness.