AI Deepfake Bill 2026: What Happens if Someone Uses Your Face or Voice Without Permission?

India could soon have a dedicated legal framework to protect people from AI-generated deepfakes that misuse their face, voice or other distinctive features without consent. BJP MP Baijayant Panda has proposed The Protection of Personality Likeness from Artificial Intelligence Misuse Bill, 2026, which is listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha.

Dated February 25, 2026, the proposed legislation seeks to regulate realistic AI-generated images, videos and audio that could falsely make it appear that a person said, did or endorsed something they did not.

The Bill proposes consent requirements, mandatory takedown timelines for online platforms, civil remedies and criminal penalties for serious violations, said reports.

What Does The AI Personality Likeness Bill Propose?

The proposed law would prohibit the creation, publication or distribution of a realistic AI imitation of another person without prior consent where the content could deceive the public. Lok Sabha Passes Bill Enabling Government To Allow Charges on UPI and Other Digital Payments.

The Bill defines consent as free, informed and explicit permission recorded in a verifiable form.

The proposed protections would cover AI-generated versions of a person's:

• Face
• Voice
• Physical appearance
• Other distinctive personal features

The restrictions would apply to both commercial and non-commercial use.

According to the Bill's Statement of Objects and Reasons, AI tools are increasingly being used to “impersonate individuals, mislead the public, commit fraud, and cause serious harm to personal dignity and reputation.” What Is the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026? Key Changes and Why It Faces Opposition.

Platforms Could Face 24-Hour Takedown Deadline

The proposed legislation would place obligations on online intermediaries that receive actual knowledge or notice of content violating personality likeness rights.

Platforms would have to remove or disable access to such content within 24 hours of receiving a valid complaint or notice.

For sexually explicit AI-generated material, the proposed deadline would be reduced to 12 hours.

Online platforms would also be required to establish grievance mechanisms to handle complaints related to the misuse of AI-generated likeness.

AI Deepfake Bill Proposes Jail And INR 10 Lakh Fine

The Bill proposes criminal penalties for knowingly creating or distributing AI-generated imitations for purposes including impersonation, fraud, deception or sexually explicit or obscene content.

Violators could face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to INR 10 lakh, or both.

Victims would also be able to seek civil remedies, including injunctions, removal of the offending material and damages for harm caused to their dignity or reputation.

What About News, Parody And Satire?

The proposed legislation includes exceptions for genuine news reporting, public affairs and matters of public interest, provided the material is factual and does not use realistic AI imitation to mislead the public.

Parody, satire, caricature and artistic expression would also receive protection when the content is clearly non-realistic and does not cause substantial harm.

The Bill also proposes extending personality likeness protection beyond a person's lifetime. Protection for deceased individuals would continue for 10 years after death, with consent required from legal heirs or lawful representatives.

If enacted, the proposed law would create a specific framework for addressing AI-generated deepfakes and personality likeness misuse in India, an area that has increasingly come under legal and regulatory scrutiny as generative AI tools become more accessible.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2026 10:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).