Entertainment
Delhi High Court Grants Raj Shamani Legal Protection Against Deepfakes and Identity Misuse
Raj Shamani gets interim court protection as Delhi HC orders platforms to remove deepfakes, fake ads and misuse of his name, voice and identity.
The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to podcaster and entrepreneur Raj Shamani, recognising his name, voice, image and online persona as protectable intellectual property. The court has directed platforms to remove deepfakes, scam content and unauthorised use of his trademark Figuring Out, marking a significant moment for digital creators seeking legal safeguards in the age of AI-driven misuse.
Raj Shamani Takes Legal Route to Protect His Digital Identity
In a time when AI-generated content is spreading rapidly, podcaster and influencer Raj Shamani has taken a significant step to secure his digital identity. Known for his popular show Figuring Out With Raj Shamani, which has 13.2 million YouTube subscribers, he approached the Delhi High Court after repeated misuse of his name, face, voice and online persona in scam ads and deepfake videos.
His petition detailed the increasing number of fake endorsements, edited clips, scam pages, misleading ads and impersonation attempts using his identity to promote betting platforms, crypto schemes and fraudulent services.
Delhi High Court Recognises Shamani’s Personality Rights
On November 17, the Delhi High Court granted interim protection to Raj Shamani, acknowledging his personality rights as intellectual property.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora stated that Shamani is entitled to protect himself against:
- Morphed videos
- Deepfake content
- Distorted clips
- Fake endorsements
- Defamatory or misleading posts
The court observed that his rights over the podcast “Figuring Out With Raj Shamani” are protected under the Copyright Act, including exclusive rights to communicate his works publicly.
Additionally, the court ordered that the registered trademark “Figuring Out” cannot be used without authorisation.
Also Read: Raj Shamani’s Reveals How a Walk in London Led to the Viral Vijay Mallya Podcast
What the Court Has Ordered Digital Platforms to Do
The interim order directs social media platforms to:
- Remove and block AI-generated deepfake content
- Take down infringing clips and fake ads
- Restrict the misuse of his trademark “Figuring Out”
- Prevent hosting or streaming of his copyrighted content without permission
This step makes Shamani one of the few Indian creators to formally secure judicial protection for his digital personality.
Court Rejects Request for Blanket Hashtag Blocking
During the hearing, Shamani also requested a ban on all hashtags containing his name to prevent misuse.
Justice Arora declined the blanket ban, stating that hashtags are widely used for commentary, reporting and discussion.
“You’re a public persona. You will have to give that much leeway,” the court said.
A Landmark Step for Indian Creators Facing AI Misuse
For Raj Shamani, the ruling is not just a personal victory but a step toward creating larger legal awareness for creators. He emphasised that AI deepfakes and impersonation threaten the credibility and safety of public figures. This case, now moving into the enforcement stage, could set an important precedent for India’s digital economy, where creators increasingly face identity theft, scam ads and dangerous misuse of their online presence.