Denmark has proposed new laws to amend digital copyright laws, addressing the growing threat of deepfakes generated by AI. The proposed changes attempt to protect individuals’ rights regarding digital identity in response to an increase in deep attacks, resulting in significant financial losses and increased disinformation.
Deepfake utilizes artificial intelligence to create realistic fake images, video and audio recordings. This technology is employed in many ways, ranging from creating humorous content to carrying out economic fraud and spreading misleading information. The Global Union on Digital Security at the World Economic Forum is working to promote public-private cooperation to combat harmful online content, including deepfakes, and to enhance digital media literacy.
The Danish government’s amendment is seen as a pioneering effort in Europe and aims to protect control over individual identity, especially appearance and voice. The government is aiming to submit revisions in the fall, indicating the urgency of seeing the issue. The proposal has gained cross-party support and suggests consensus on the need to address deepfake-related challenges.
DeepFakes leverages AI technology, particularly “deep learning” to create manipulated or fully manufactured content. This technology allows you to modify existing content, as explained by replacing one actor’s face with another actor in a film clip. It also depicts generating new content and saying and doing things that you’ve never actually done before. While some uses, such as face exchanges in movie scenes, may seem harmless, they raise concerns about an individual’s right to their image.
In 2023, the US actor took a strike to defend control of AI’s use of images. The strike has halted film and television productions. The actor has secured an industry commitment that future use of AI images requires explicit consent. The event highlights increased awareness and concerns about AI use and manipulates or replicas of individual portraits without permission.
A serious threat posed by deepfakes is that they are used to spread fake news. The instances include deepfakes of former US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Voldymee Zelenki. By creating an appearance in which messages come from reliable sources, deepfakes can lend credibility to false information and influence public opinion and political discourse.
Apemble.ai’s research shows that financial fraud and cybercrime represent a significant growth area of deepfake applications. 41% of deepfake goals are public figures, including celebrities, politicians and business leaders, while 34% are individuals, primarily women and children. Organizations account for 18% of deepfake targets.
British engineering firm Arup has experienced a deepfark scam that caused a financial loss of $25 million. Cybercriminals used AI-generated clones of senior managers to persuade finance employees to transfer funds during video calls. This example shows the possibility that deepfakes can promote sophisticated financial crime.
The attempted fraudulent targeting Ferrari included the use of AI-generated voices from CEO Benedetto Vigna. Employees thwarted the attempt by asking questions that only the actual CEO could answer. The BBC journalist demonstrated the possibility of voice cloning by bypassing the bank’s voice identification system using a synthetic version of her own voice. These examples highlight the refinement and accessibility of deep-far technology for malicious purposes.
AI’s Deepfake Security Report for the second quarter of 2025 revealed a significant increase in public Deepfake attacks. The report documented 487 such attacks, an increase of 41% compared to the previous quarter and a 300% year-on-year increase. The company’s findings also show that direct financial losses caused by the Deepfark scam have reached nearly $350 million. aimble.ai also noted that deepfark attacks doubled every six months, highlighting the escalated nature of the threat.
A similarity shows that Deepfake scams are a global issue, particularly common in technologically advanced regions. The US is leading the reported incidents, but deep fur cases are also spreading throughout Asia-Pacific and Europe, with rapid growth observed in Africa. This global distribution underscores the need for international cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by deepfakes.
The United States has implemented a Take It Down Act, demanding that harmful deepfakes be removed within 48 hours and impose federal criminal penalties on their distribution. The law also requires public websites and mobile apps to establish reporting and takedown procedures. State lawmakers in Tennessee, Louisiana and Florida have passed their own deepfake laws and demonstrated a multifaceted approach to addressing the issue.
The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into effect in 2024, aims to prevent illegal and harmful activities online, including the spread of disinformation. The DSA is exposing online service providers to increased scrutiny, and several formal investigations into non-compliance violations are already underway. The UK is taking a similar approach in its online safety laws implemented in early 2025.
The Danish amendment under consideration allows individuals affected by Deepfark content to request deletion. Artists can request compensation for misuse of their images. The right to compensation will be extended for 50 years beyond the death of the artist. Online platforms like Meta and X could face substantial fines if revised invoices are passed as proposed. The bill establishes a legal foundation for seeking damages under Danish law, but does not directly provide compensation or criminal charges.
With Denmark serving as the presidency of the Council of the European Union, he aims to prioritize media and culture within European democracy through initiatives such as the Shield of European Democracy. Amendments to domestic copyright laws are expected to send strong political signals to both Brussels and the broader EU. This action reflects Danish commitment to addressing the challenges posed by deepfakes and promoting a safer online environment.
The Global Union on Digital Safety of the World Economic Forum aims to promote inter-regional cooperation for online safety. This includes accelerated public and playful collaboration to address harmful content, including deepfakes. The coalition also supports efforts to promote exchange of best practices in online safety regulations and to improve digital media literacy. The Union aims to strengthen global efforts to combat deepfakes and promote a safer digital environment by promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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