Gautam Gambhir Seeks Legal Action Against AI Misuse Of Identity

Former India cricketer and current head coach Gautam Gambhir has filed a petition before the Delhi High Court, requesting protection of his personality rights. He has alleged that his identity is being exploited through coordinated digital impersonation and artificial intelligence tools.

The case has been lodged in the Commercial Division of the court.

Gambhir has sought urgent relief in the form of an injunction. He has urged the court to take action in the matter.

The request targets various social media handles, online marketplaces and intermediaries involved in the alleged misuse.

Gambhir’s legal representatives have highlighted a noticeable rise in fabricated content. They said it is circulating on platforms such as Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook.

The petition claims that advanced technologies like face-swapping and voice cloning have been used to create deceptive videos. These clips reportedly included false announcements and misleading statements attributed to Gambhir, drawing significant public attention.

Additionally, unauthorised merchandise featuring his identity has allegedly been sold online.

The suit names 16 defendants, including specific social media accounts and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart. It also includes intermediaries like Meta Platforms Inc, X Corp, and Google LLC, along with government departments to ensure enforcement of any judicial orders.

In his statement, Gambhir asserted, “My identity, my name, my face, my voice, have been weaponised by anonymous accounts to spread misinformation and generate revenue at my expense. This is not a matter of personal hurt; it is a matter of law, dignity, and the protection every public figure deserves in the age of artificial intelligence.”

Legal Grounds and Precedents

The petition relies on provisions under the Copyright Act, the Trade Marks Act and the Commercial Courts Act. It also references earlier judicial precedents involving Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and Sunil Gavaskar.

Gambhir has demanded damages amounting to Rs 2.5 crore, along with a permanent injunction and removal of all disputed content.

An additional application has been submitted seeking an interim order to immediately remove the infringing material and prevent its further spread until the court delivers a final verdict.

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