Bombay High Court Orders Removal Of Preity Zinta Deepfake Videos, Directs Meta, Google To Act
Granting interim relief to Bollywood actor Preity Zintathe Bombay High Court has directed Meta, Google LLC, social media platforms, websites and other intermediaries to remove specified AI-generated deepfake videos and manipulated digital content that allegedly violate her personality, publicity and copyright rights.
A single judge Bench of Justice Madhav J. Jamdar observed that Zinta had made out a prima facie case for interim protection, holding that the unauthorised creation and circulation of morphed deepfakes, manipulated images, videos and AI-generated content infringed her constitutional and statutory rights.
“Perusal of various contentions raised in the plaint… clearly shows that the plaintiff’s personality rights, publicity rights and moral rights are violated by the creation of such morphed deepfake and/or superimposed content comprising the plaintiff’s image, photograph or videos,” the Court observed.
The Court further held that these rights flow from Article 19(1)(a)guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, and Article 21protecting the right to life, dignity and personal liberty under the Constitution.
Court Warns Platforms Against AI Misuse
During the hearing, Justice Jamdar also orally cautioned Meta and other digital platforms over misuse of their services.
“As international organisations, you must be more concerned about such type of misuse and that your platform is being misused. If you start taking action, such offenders will stop and it will enhance your prestige. Otherwise, you are part of affecting fundamental rights of citizens of this country,” the Court remarked.
The Court also noted that Rule 3 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 requires intermediaries to exercise due diligence in addressing such content.
Zinta Alleged violation of Personality and copyright rights
Appearing for Zinta, Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond argued that the defendants had created, uploaded and circulated AI-generated deepfake videos, manipulated photographs, memes, chatbot personas and other digital content using the actor’s identity without consent.
The suit contended that such unauthorised commercial exploitation violated her personality rights, publicity rights and moral rights under the Copyright Actbesides damaging her reputation and goodwill.
Zinta also sought directions against identified websites, social media accounts, intermediaries and unknown persons (John Doe defendants) for removal of the objectionable material.
Meta Agrees to remove specified links
Counsel appearing for Meta informed the Court that the company had no objection to removing the links specifically identified by Zinta. However, Meta submitted that future takedown requests involving genuine photographs or legitimate content may require verification, and any objections would be communicated to the actor through her legal representatives.
The Court clarified that parties would remain at liberty to approach it for further directions in case of disputes over future takedown requests.
Case Title: Preity Zinta v. Google LLC & Ors
Bench: Justice Madhav J. Jamdar
Order Date: July 8, 2026
