Chinese Actor's Face and Voice Used Without Consent in AI-Generated Short Dramas
Multiple AI-generated short dramas on the Hongguo platform reportedly used actor Jackson Yee's facial features and voice without authorization to create characters in commercial content. Yee's studio announced on April 5, 2026 that it had engaged lawyers to pursue intellectual property claims against the platform and creators.
What happened
Multiple AI-generated short dramas on the Hongguo platform used Jackson Yee's facial features and voice without authorization through deep synthesis technology to create main characters in commercial content. Two dramas with particularly high engagement were 'Midnight Bus: She's Catching Ghosts Super Fiercely' with nearly 40 million views and 'Deceive Me Into Investing in Good Embryos? Okay, Don't Regret It' with nearly 75 million views.
Jackson Yee's studio issued a statement on April 5, 2026 confirming that the actor never participated in or authorized these works, and that the synthetic use of his image and voice constituted infringement. The studio stated it had retained lawyers for evidence preservation and litigation assessment.
Reported impact
The studio indicated the unauthorized use harmed the actor's image and reputation by associating him with content he did not create or endorse. The studio warned that broadcasting the content could also constitute infringement.
The Hongguo platform removed the dramas following the studio's announcement. Platform customer service indicated the removal was due to copyright or content compliance issues.
Index analysis
The incident reflects broader issues with AI-generated content infringement in China, with other celebrities including Xiao Zhan, Yang Zi and Dilraba previously experiencing unauthorized face-swapping. An industry organization, the China Radio and Television Association Actors Committee, issued a statement emphasizing that unauthorized use, synthesis or distribution of performers' images and voices constitutes infringement regardless of whether content is labeled non-commercial.
Legal experts cited in reporting noted that unauthorized commercial use of another person's image and voice violates China's Civil Code provisions on portraiture and reputation rights.
Governance controls
The Hongguo platform announced it would conduct concentrated remediation of AI material misuse issues, having found the problem to be frequent. The platform stated it had removed multiple works and suspended upload permissions for the involved producer for 15 days in an earlier incident involving a different creator whose photographs were used in the drama 'Peony Hairpin'.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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