In its order, the court directed the defendants to refrain from using or misrepresenting Shetty’s name, image, voice, likeness or personality in any manner. The court also ordered that the defamatory and infringing content circulated on various platforms be immediately removed.
Bombay High Court protects personality rights of Shilpa Shetty; Orders removal of defamatory and infringing online content
The Directive emphasizes that the identity and reputation of a public figure cannot be commercially exploited or digitally misused without consent. The order also puts the onus on digital platforms and intermediaries to take immediate action when such violations are brought to their attention.
Reacting to the development, Shetty’s lawyer Sana Raees Khan said the verdict sends a clear message about misuse of emerging technologies online.
“The Bombay High Court has made it absolutely clear in the personality rights case of Ms. Shilpa Shetty that the Internet cannot become a playground for deepfakes and digital impersonation,” Khan said in an official statement.
He said the court recognized that Shetty’s name, image, voice and personality are valuable legal rights that cannot be commercially exploited or digitally manipulated without her consent.
According to Khan, the order strengthens the obligation of digital platforms and intermediaries to expeditiously remove such content and prevent misuse of technology that can harm the dignity and reputation of an individual.
