Denmark Moves to Give Citizens Copyright Over Their Own Face, in Landmark AI Law

Denmark has taken a bold step into the digital age with a proposed copyright law that would grant citizens full ownership of themselves, which including their face, voice and body data, in an effort to combat the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes. The proposal, which treats personal traits as intellectual property, could redefine how societies protect identity and consent in an increasingly artificial world.

At its heart, the law reframes personal identity as a form of creative expression. Something owned by the individual, not shared by default. Every Danish citizen would hold copyright over their physical and vocal likeness, meaning unauthorized digital reproductions could be challenged in court. Victims of deepfakes or manipulated media would gain the right to demand removal and claim compensation.

The move resonates beyond law and technology. Deepfakes have already been used to humiliate individuals, damage relationships, and distort public figures’ reputations. For families, the proposal represents reassurance that personal memories, photos, or recordings cannot be digitally twisted without consequence. Parents in particular, have expressed concern about children’s faces being used in synthetic media. This is an anxiety this law aims to ease.