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Published on
November 6, 2025
5 min read
Denmark Drafts Law to Curb the Growing Deepfake Threat
In Focus
- Denmark is expected to pass a deepfake law in 2026
- The law protects the personal characteristics of citizens
- Danish lawmakers support the deepfake law
Denmark is working on a deepfake law to protect citizens’ personal characteristics like voice or appearance from being imitated and shared on digital platforms without their consent. According to Yahoo Finance, Denmark’s deepfake law is expected to pass in 2026.
New Law Gives Citizens Ownership Rights
Deepfakes are realistic, AI-generated videos, images, or audio of actual people or events. Under Denmark’s anti-deepfake legislation, Danish citizens would get copyright over their own likeness.
The copyright will allow them to ask digital platforms to remove images or videos that are posted without their consent. Although Denmark’s policy on AI-driven images will still allow for satire and parodies, it remains unclear how these will be determined or defined.
How Generative AI Fuels Deepfakes
The rapid proliferation of generative AI tools has made it possible to generate deepfakes. This year alone, tech companies have raced to expand AI technology to the visual application space.
In April 2024, OpenAI made its image generator, which runs on its GPT-4o model, accessible to all its users. The AI-powered tool quickly became the go-to option for modifying images, raising concerns about copyright.
Weeks later, Adobe launched the mobile version of its AI-powered image generation tool, Adobe Firefly App. With these tools, millions of users can generate content for all kinds of reasons, including depicting celebrities, targeting teens, and disrupting elections.
Danish Lawmakers Support the Deepfake Law
Denmark’s law on copyright deepfakes enjoys wide support from lawmakers because digital manipulation can spread misinformation and blur reality.
“If you’re able to deepfake a politician without her or him being able to have that product taken down, that will undermine our democracy,” Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt told reporters.
Experts say the new law is one of the most significant steps taken by the Danish government to combat deepfake misinformation. Some of them have commended the government for taking the step to introduce the digital identity protection law in Denmark.
“We can’t just pretend that this is business as usual for how we think about those key parts of our identity and our dignity,” Generative AI Expert Henry Ajder said.
Important Highlights of Denmark’s Deepfake Law
- The deepfake law only applies to Denmark
- Violation may not attract fines or prison time for social media users
- Tech platforms could face severe penalties for not removing deepfakes
Global Push to Curb Deepfakes
Denmark isn’t the only country that’s seeking to curb deepfakes. The U.S. passed legislation that outlaws publishing or threatening to publish intimate images, including deepfakes, without consent. South Korea has updated regulations governing social media to curb deepfakes.
The European Union has been consistent on data privacy and protection matters. Denmark currently holds the European Union’s rotating presidency. Engel-Schmidt said several EU members, including Ireland and France, have expressed interest in the proposed deepfake legislation.
