Delhi High Court Orders Removal of AI Deepfakes Targeting Yuvraj Singh
The Delhi High Court issued an interim order on July 29, 2026, protecting cricketer Yuvraj Singh's personality rights and ordering the removal of AI-generated deepfakes from social media platforms. The court found that fabricated content showing Singh in religiously insensitive and violent scenarios had damaged his reputation and goodwill, and directed Meta Platforms and other online services to take action.
What happened
Social media accounts were publishing and disseminating AI-generated images and videos purportedly showing cricketer Yuvraj Singh in fabricated and fictional scenarios.
The objectionable content included religiously insensitive posts, videos showing aggressive and violent behaviour towards other cricketers, and posts with vulgar and abusive language.
Reported impact
The fabricated content damaged Yuvraj Singh's reputation and goodwill.
Meta Platforms and other online platforms were directed by the court to remove the offending content.
Index analysis
Justice Jyoti Singh highlighted that Yuvraj Singh is one of the most decorated, recognised and globally renowned cricketers, who represented India across all formats of the sport for 17 years, and noted that those violating his personality and privacy rights needed to be 'dealt with a heavy hand'.
Governance controls
The Delhi High Court issued an interim order on July 29, 2026, protecting the exploitation or misappropriation of the name 'Yuvraj Singh' as well as 'Yuvi', along with the image, voice, likeness, and any other personality attributes of the cricketer.
The court restrained unauthorised use of his name, image, etc., by third parties for commercial or personal gain, including the sale of merchandise and creation of AI-generated or deepfake content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.