Denmark is taking proactive steps to combat the spread of misinformation and protect its citizens from the harmful effects of deepfake technology by proposing a law against sharing deepfake images. This move highlights growing global concerns about the potential misuse of AI-generated content and its impact on society.
The Danish government has expressed concerns that deepfakes, which are highly realistic but fabricated content created using artificial intelligence, can undermine public trust and distort reality. These digital manipulations, often in the form of images, videos, or audio, can make it appear as though someone said or did something they never did. Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt stated it was "high time that we now create a safeguard against the spread of misinformation and at the same time send a clear signal to the tech giants". A ministry statement noted that manipulated images and videos can become embedded in people's subconscious, creating doubts about genuine depictions of reality and potentially leading to wrong perceptions.
The proposed legislation has garnered broad support from a cross-section of parties in the Danish parliament. The bill aims to make it illegal to share deepfakes or other digital imitations of personal characteristics. If enacted, the law would grant individuals greater control over their image, voice, and likeness, enabling them to take legal action against unauthorized digital imitations. This would entail amending existing copyright law to give individuals recourse if their bodies, faces, or voices are cloned and disseminated without their consent.
The government intends to hold tech platforms accountable for deepfakes and is planning to impose "severe fines" for online platforms that do not abide by the new law. It is expected that the bill will pass without major opposition. The Danish department of culture plans to submit a proposed amendment for consultation this summer, with the aim of passing it late this year or early 2026.
The proposed law includes exceptions for parody and satire. While the ministry didn't specify how that would be determined, these rules would only apply in Denmark. Although violators wouldn't be subject to imprisonment, some "compensation" could be warranted.
Denmark's initiative is considered among the most extensive steps taken by a government to combat misinformation through deepfakes. By granting citizens copyright control over their own features, the country is setting a new legal standard in Europe. As Denmark is set to lead the EU council next, Copenhagen aims to build a common front against AI abuse.
Other countries and regions have also begun to address the issue of deepfakes. In May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act, which bans the nonconsensual publication of sexually explicit images and videos, including deepfakes, and requires online platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim's request. South Korea has also rolled out measures to curb deepfake pornography, including harsher punishments and stepped-up regulations for social media platforms.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain in detecting and regulating deepfakes. As AI technology continues to improve, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and manipulated content. Effective regulation will require integrating advanced detection technologies to identify and remove unauthorized synthetic content from online platforms.
