The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of two YouTube channels that were circulating deepfake and fabricated videos featuring the likeness of senior journalist Rajat Sharma. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed Google LLC, which operates YouTube, to take down the specified channels within 36 hours and to share details of their operators, including contact and monetisation information, with Rajat Sharma within one week.
The order came in response to an application filed by Sharma in a pending civil suit seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights. He alleged that certain YouTube channels had used artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to manipulate his image, voice and likeness, creating misleading videos that appeared to show him endorsing products and services. These videos, he stated, were being used to deceive viewers and exploit his reputation for commercial gain. The manipulated clips had been created by extracting footage from his television show and digitally altering it to make it appear as though he supported the advertised schemes.
In court, Google LLC acknowledged receiving Sharma’s complaint on October 30 and stated that two of the four reported channels had already been blocked, while the remaining two were under review. The Court directed immediate removal of the remaining channels and further instructed both parties to cooperate in identifying any other infringing content. Once identified, Google was ordered to use its technological tools to detect and take down identical or similar videos automatically so that Sharma would not have to repeatedly request removals.
The Court underscored that the use of a person’s image or voice without consent—especially for financial or promotional purposes—amounts to a serious violation of personality rights and privacy. It observed that deepfake technology poses new challenges to reputation and public trust, particularly when public figures are impersonated or falsely depicted. The order reaffirmed that individuals have an inherent right to protect their identity, image and voice from unauthorised commercial or deceptive use.
The Court’s direction also highlights the obligation of online platforms to respond swiftly to such complaints. It held that hosting services like YouTube must act promptly to remove infringing content and cooperate fully with affected individuals by providing details about the creators of offending material. This judgment marks an important step in addressing the misuse of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in India and sets a precedent for protecting personality rights in the digital era.
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