Delhi HC to direct takedown of objectionable content featuring Tabu

The Delhi High Court said it would issue an interim order directing the removal of objectionable online content linked to actress Tabu while hearing her plea against the unauthorised commercial exploitation of her identity. The court is also considering an SOP for similar personality rights cases

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday said it will pass an interim order directing the removal of certain objectionable online content featuring Bollywood actress Tabu while hearing her suit seeking protection of her personality and publicity rights against the unauthorised use of her identity across digital platforms.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh, after hearing the suit filed by the actress alleging unauthorised commercial exploitation of her identity, indicated that an interim order would be passed directing the takedown of specific links containing obscene content associated with her name.

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During the hearing, senior advocate Swathi Sukumar, appearing for Tabu, informed Justice Singh that the memo of parties had been amended to correctly identify the social media intermediaries arrayed as defendants, in compliance with the court’s earlier directions.

The senior counsel further submitted that certain search terms combining the actress’ name with pornographic content were being used online and that the concerned platforms were deriving benefit from such searches.

Taking note of the submissions, Justice Singh observed in relation to some of the identified links: “They have to be taken down.”

The single-judge Bench also considered framing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with similar cases involving alleged misuse of the personality rights of public figures in the digital space.

The Delhi High Court said it would pass a detailed order later. The matter has been posted for further hearing on December 7.

Tabu had approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of her personality and publicity rights against the alleged unauthorised use of her name, image, likeness and other identity attributes, including through Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated content and digital impersonation.

The actress has alleged unauthorised commercial exploitation and misuse of her identity in the digital space. The case adds to a growing list of high-profile personalities invoking their personality and publicity rights before the Delhi High Court.

In recent months, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, actors Arjun Kapoor, Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Varun Dhawan, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Abhishek Bachchan, singer Jubin Nautiyal, film-maker Karan Johar, podcaster Raj Shamani, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, and actor Naga Chaitanya have secured or sought court protection against the unauthorised use of their identity, likeness, or AI-generated imitations.