Preity Zinta moves HC over deepfakes

Urvi Mahajani

Preity Zinta has approached the Bombay High Court, seeking an injunction against AI-generated deepfakes, morphed images, videos and other unauthorised content depicting her on online platforms.

In her suit, she has named several intermediaries as respondents, including Google and Meta, along with domain name registrars and identified infringers. Hearing the matter on Friday, Justice Madhav Jamdar indicated that he would pass appropriate orders on July 6 after the parties work out a mechanism for taking down the offending material. The court observed that any relief granted must be carefully calibrated to ensure objectionable material is removed without disrupting legitimate online content.

Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for the actor, submitted that the sophistication of AI-generated deepfakes has increased significantly, making them more convincing and harmful. He sought urgent ex parte directions directing identified websites and intermediaries to remove all infringing content cited in the suit. He also sought John Doe orders – legal injunctions against anonymous or unidentified defendants – restraining any person or entity from creating or publishing fake content featuring the actor.