Delhi High Court Rules Against AI Voice Cloning

The Delhi High Court recently delivered a crucial interim injunction against the unauthorized use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for voice cloning, marking a significant development in protecting personality rights in the digital age. This ruling underscores the judiciary's proactive approach to the emerging challenges posed by generative AI.

The case involved prominent spiritual leader Sadhguru (Jagadish "Jaggi" Vasudev), founder of the Isha Foundation. He sought legal recourse against the rampant misuse of his name, image, and distinct voice, which were being cloned by AI to create deepfake videos and audio for various deceptive purposes, including promoting fraudulent schemes and unverified products.

The Delhi High Court granted a 'dynamic+' injunction, a powerful legal tool designed to combat rapidly evolving online infringements. This form of injunction doesn't just target identified perpetrators but also extends to future, unknown entities engaged in similar unauthorized activities.

Key aspects of the ruling include:

1. Protection of Personality Rights: The court explicitly recognized Sadhguru's unique persona, encompassing his voice, name, likeness, and vocal articulation style, as integral to his personality rights. It affirmed that these rights cannot be rendered ineffective in the face of rapidly advancing technology.

   
   

2. Addressing AI's Virality: The Court acknowledged that when AI amplifies identity misuse, it "spreads like wildfire," posing risks akin to a "digital pandemic." This highlights the urgent need for judicial intervention to contain such rapid proliferation of harmful content.

3. Intermediary Responsibility: The injunction also directed platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) to take down infringing content and reveal the basic subscriber information of the users involved. This emphasizes the growing responsibility placed on online intermediaries to police AI-generated misuse.

This ruling builds upon earlier precedents where Indian courts have protected personality rights against deepfakes, notably for actors like Anil Kapoor and singers like Arijit Singh. It reinforces that an individual's voice, like their image, is a core component of their identity and holds commercial value, requiring robust protection.

While India currently lacks specific legislation solely dedicated to AI and deepfakes, courts are adeptly applying existing legal frameworks, particularly personality rights derived from the constitutional right to life and liberty. This Delhi High Court injunction is a vital step towards creating a safer digital environment, deterring unauthorized AI-driven impersonation, and safeguarding the identity and reputation of individuals in an increasingly AI-driven world. It sends a clear message that technological innovation must not come at the cost of individual rights.