Europe’s First Deepfake Law? Denmark Has a Plan.

Deepfakes aren’t just internet pranks anymore — they’re a growing legal and financial threat. From costly online scamming using someone’s likeness to spreading fake news that could sway elections, AI-generated videos, voices, and images are rewriting the rules of online trust. Denmark now wants to fight back with what could be Europe’s first deepfake-specific copyright law — but for now, it’s still just a proposal, with formal debate expected in autumn 2025.

A deepfake can be as silly as swapping Tom Holland into Back to the Future, or as dangerous as cloning a CEO’s voice to steal $25 million — which happened to UK engineering firm Arup. Even celebrities and political leaders like Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been targeted with ultra-realistic fake speeches. The danger is in the realism: if you see or hear it, your brain believes it. And with deepfake attacks doubling every six months, the threat is no longer niche —it’s mainstream.

The Danish government’s proposed amendment would give people more control over their own image, voice, and identity. Victims could demand takedowns, artists could claim compensation, and platforms like Meta or X could face big fines for hosting harmful AI-generated content. Protection would even last 50 years after a person’s death. While the bill enjoys broad political support, it hasn’t passed yet — meaning the real legal teeth are still to come. If enacted, it could set a new European standard for protecting people from the darker side of AI.

Deepfake tech isn’t slowing down — and neither is the legislation trying to contain it. If your business handles sensitive information, public, or high-profile talent, our legal team can help you navigate these changes and protect your brand, identity, and bottom line. Contact us today to start building your defense!

Text: Willige, Andrea. ‘Deepfake Legislation: Denmark Moves to Protect Digital Identity’. Weforum.Org, World Economic Forum, 30 Jul. 2025, https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/07/deepfake-legislation-denmark-digital-id/.

Photo: 'Copenhagen, Denmark' by Anthony Rodriguez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-street-buildings-flags-13281082/