Extremely disturbing, shocking: HC orders removal of morphed photos of Shilpa Shetty in personality rights suit argued by Adv Sana Raees Khan

Shilpa Shetty with Sana Raees Khan

• Bombay High Court orders removal of AI-morphed Shilpa Shetty images online
• Court says such content violates Shetty's privacy and personality rights
• Social media platforms told to delete all related links and websites immediately

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The Bombay High Court on Friday termed as "extremely disturbing and shocking" the AI (artificial intelligence)-generated and morphed photos of actor Shilpa Shetty, and directed several social media platforms to forthwith delete and remove all such links and websites.

The actor had moved the HC seeking protection of her personality rights and also an order against websites and AI-generated content that allegedly carried morphed and manipulated images and videos of her.

A vacation bench of Justice Advait Sethna noted in its order that the material uploaded on the websites was "prima facie extremely disturbing" and "no personality, much less a person and or a woman can be portrayed in a fashion which affects her fundamental right to privacy and that too, without her knowledge and or consent".

In her suit, Shetty, via her Adv Sana Raees Khan, had alleged that AI tools were used to clone her voice and mannerisms to create morphed images, books and other merchandise without her authorisation.

The actor sought an injunction to all the websites to take down the content and to also restrain them from using her name, voice or image without permission.

The high court said in its order that Shetty has tendered photos from such social media platforms which depict her in an inappropriate and unacceptable fashion.

Also Read: Shilpa Shetty’s lawyer issues official statement; says actress has no role in alleged Rs 60 crore fraud

"These pictures prima facie appear shocking," Justice Sethna said.

She is a well-known film personality and is also active on various social media platforms. Portrayal of such images through URLs would tarnish her image and reputation, and this cannot be countenanced, the court added.

"In the interest of justice," the high court directed all the defendants to forthwith delete the URLs from their respective platforms.