The Delhi High Court has granted an ex-parte interim injunction to actor Tabu, safeguarding her name, image, voice, and other personality rights from unauthorised exploitation, particularly through Artificial Intelligence. The move is in response to ongoing concerns regarding deepfakes, face morphing, and various digital technologies that may infringe upon her personal attributes, as reported by ANI.

Justice Jyoti Singh, who presided over the hearing, supported Tabu’s petition by ordering major platforms including Google, Meta, X, and Reddit to remove or disable over 150 URLs that allegedly carry unlawful content concerning her. This ruling represents a significant step in protecting digital likeness and combating the misuse of personality rights.

Platform-Specific URL Removal Orders

The court’s directive specifies the removal of several URLs within a strict timeframe. Google has been mandated to remove a total of 34 URLs across three separate documents within 36 hours, while Meta must address 106 URLs across its platforms in the same period. X Corp is to eliminate three identified URLs, and eBay Inc has been instructed to take down specific URLs mentioned in the order.

Moreover, Reddit has been given a similar timeline to comply. Additionally, the court has requested basic subscriber information and IP log details from the platforms that could aid Tabu in identifying individuals responsible for the offending content.

Tabu’s lawsuit emerged from concerns surrounding the commercial exploitation of her identity, highlighting the creation of fake event-booking accounts and the distribution of unauthorised merchandise. The actor alleged that her films had been manipulated in a manner that misrepresented and objectified her character, potentially affecting her reputation and earnings.

Concerns Over Fake Content and Reputation Damage

Furthermore, Tabu pointed out a publication that spread a fabricated and derogatory statement attributed to her, which she had never made. Despite her team issuing clarifications to several prominent newspapers, the court viewed this action as a serious infringement and ordered the publisher to retract the statement from all platforms within three days.

The court’s ruling reflects broader legal principles related to personality rights, noting that past judgements have underscored the importance of protecting such rights from both commercial exploitation and infringement of privacy. Justice Singh referred to previous cases to establish precedence for the current ruling.

Future Proceedings and Ongoing Legal Framework

The court determined that Tabu has established a prima facie case for obtaining protection, recognising the potential for significant harm should her rights not be defended. The ruling reflects the public’s immediate association with her identity, combined with her professional achievements and social media presence.

The ongoing proceedings highlight Tabu’s notable career, encompassing awards such as the Padma Shri and two National Film Awards, alongside her substantial following on Instagram. The plaintiff’s case has been classified as a commercial suit, with all remaining defendants required to submit written statements within 30 days. A hearing on the discovery application is scheduled for December 7, 2026.

The interim injunction issued by the court will remain effective until further hearings take place, emphasising that this decision does not resolve the allegations presented in the lawsuit but provides necessary immediate protection. Further legal developments will be closely monitored as the situation evolves.

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