Bombay HC cracks down on Akshay deepfake, warns of AI threat

Court warns of public order threat, directs swift removal of morphed content from online platforms

The Bombay High Court has taken a firm stance against the spread of AI-generated deepfake videos and doctored images of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, describing them as “highly alarming” and potentially damaging to public order and safety.

Justice Arif S Doctor, in an interim ruling, granted Kumar urgent legal relief, citing the seriousness of the issue. The court acted without hearing the opposing parties, citing the immediate need to prevent further harm. A particular deepfake video at the centre of the case shows Kumar allegedly making provocative comments on religious matters, which the court said could incite unrest.

“The level of digital manipulation is so advanced that it is nearly impossible to distinguish the fake content from authentic videos of the actor,” the judge observed, noting that such material severely harms both reputation and public trust.

Content poses wider societal risks, court says

Justice Doctor emphasized that the circulation of such content not only violated Kumar’s personal rights but also posed a wider risk to society by threatening communal harmony. The order noted that those behind the fake content appeared to have acted with intent to provoke and destabilize.

Recognizing the anonymous nature of many of those sharing the content, Kumar named “John Doe” defendants—used in legal cases to represent unknown parties—to address unidentifiable individuals involved in distributing the videos.

Given the urgency, the court directed major social media and e-commerce platforms to promptly remove all unauthorized content using the actor’s likeness. It also ordered these platforms to provide user details of those responsible for creating or sharing the material.

The matter is expected to set a precedent in India's legal approach to AI-driven misinformation.