Denmark is rewriting the book on digital identity—literally. The country’s parliament is poised to pass a groundbreaking law granting copyright protections to individuals over their own image, voice, and likeness, targeting the alarming rise of AI-generated deepfakes.

Under the proposed legislation, Danes can demand removal of unauthorized deepfake content and seek compensation, with hefty fines for platforms that fail to comply. The law includes important exceptions for satire and parody, balancing creative freedom with privacy rights.

Culture Minister Jakob Engel‑Schmidt explains the principle plainly: “Every individual has the right to their own body, voice and facial features,” especially as AI blurs the boundary between real and fake.

Denmark remains the first European nation to offer such comprehensive protections. With broad cross-party support (about 90% in parliament), the law is expected in practice by late 2025 or early 2026. The country also aims to use its EU presidency to inspire similar regulations continent-wide .

By ensuring individuals legally “own” their digital selves, Denmark is setting a global example of how to preserve authenticity and trust in the age of deepfakes.