Denmark Announces Plan to Ban Non-Consensual AI Deepfakes
Denmark is moving to restrict AI-generated deepfakes at the national level. The Danish government has announced plans to introduce legislation in 2026 that would ban the sharing of AI-generated deepfakes without the consent of the person depicted.
The proposed law would make it illegal to distribute realistic synthetic media—including videos, images, or audio—that depicts an identifiable person without their explicit permission. The legislation aims to address growing concerns about AI tools that can convincingly swap faces, manipulate voices, and create fabricated content that appears authentic.
Under the planned framework, violations could result in fines or other penalties. The government has framed the measure as a matter of personal dignity and privacy protection in an era when deepfake technology has become increasingly accessible.
The move positions Denmark among the growing number of jurisdictions worldwide grappling with how to regulate synthetic media. Earlier efforts in several countries have focused primarily on deepfakes in specific contexts such as non-consensual intimate imagery or election-related misinformation, while Denmark's approach appears broader in scope.
The announcement comes as AI-generated content continues to proliferate, raising questions about how democracies and legal systems can keep pace with rapidly advancing technology. Details about enforcement mechanisms and the exact scope of exceptions remain to be finalized as the legislation works through the Danish parliamentary process.