In an era where technology moves faster than the law, a recent ruling by the Bombay High Court has sent a clear message: your face and identity belong to you, not to an algorithm. Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty successfully moved the court to seek an urgent takedown of morphed, AI-generated photos and videos that were being circulated without her consent.
The actress approached the court after discovering that deepfake technology was being used to create highly inappropriate and defamatory content featuring her likeness. These weren’t just simple “face swaps”—they were sophisticated AI manipulations that portrayed her in an “abhorrent” manner, potentially damaging a reputation she has built over decades.
The court’s reaction was swift and firm. Justice Advait Sethna, presiding over a vacation bench on December 26, 2025, described the material as “prima facie extremely disturbing.” He emphasized that no individual, particularly a woman, should be portrayed in a way that violates their fundamental right to privacy and dignity.
The legal victory resulted in several key directives aimed at cleaning up the digital space. Social media platforms, AI-linked entities, and website hosts were ordered to “forthwith” delete the specific URLs and posts containing the morphed content.
The court issued orders against “unknown persons,” allowing the legal system to act against anonymous creators who hide behind the internet’s veil. The court reinforced that under Article 21 of the Constitution, the right to privacy is a fundamental right that must be protected against technological misuse.
This case isn’t just about a celebrity; it’s about the precedent it sets for the average citizen. As AI tools become more accessible, the risk of “digital personhood” being stolen or misused increases. By granting this injunction, the court has acknowledged that Personality Rights—the right to control how your name, voice, and image are used—are essential in the 21st century.
“To reconstruct a person’s identity without consent is a violation of their digital personhood.” — Observation from the Bombay High Court
This ruling serves as a warning to those using AI for malicious purposes and a ray of hope for victims of deepfake harassment. It proves that while technology may evolve, our basic human rights to dignity and privacy remain non-negotiable. To know such latest updates, stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
