A prominent YouTube channel featuring hundreds of AI-generated videos of Bollywood celebrities has been taken down after accumulating over 16 million views. The removal follows a legal challenge in New Delhi by actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who are seeking to protect their intellectual property and personal rights from unauthorized AI manipulation.
Key Takeaways
- A YouTube channel with 259 AI-generated videos and 16.5 million views was removed from the platform.
- The action follows a lawsuit filed by Bollywood actors Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan over the misuse of their likeness.
- The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction against the creation and distribution of such AI content.
- YouTube stated that the channel's creator initiated the deletion after it was flagged in media reports.
Legal Action Against AI-Generated Content
Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have initiated legal proceedings in a New Delhi court. Their lawsuit targets the creation and distribution of artificial intelligence videos that they claim infringe upon their intellectual property rights. The legal action also questions YouTube's policies regarding the use of content for training AI models.
The couple is seeking $450,000 in damages from Google, YouTube's parent company, and several other smaller websites. The lawsuit also names sites offering unauthorized merchandise featuring their images. This case highlights a growing concern among public figures about the unauthorized use of their likeness in AI-generated media.
Last month, a judge issued an order for the removal of a small number of specific YouTube links identified by the actors. However, subsequent media reports revealed that hundreds of similar videos remained accessible on the platform, prompting further scrutiny.
The Rise of AI Deepfakes
AI-generated content, often referred to as "deepfakes," uses machine learning to create realistic but fabricated images and videos. While the technology has creative applications, it also poses significant risks related to misinformation, defamation, and the violation of personal rights, particularly for public figures whose images are widely available online.
Prominent Channel Disappears from YouTube
A specific channel, titled "AI Bollywood Ishq," became a focal point of the controversy. This channel hosted 259 videos described as "AI-generated Bollywood love stories." The content, some of which was sexually explicit, had been viewed a total of 16.5 million times.
Following media attention, the channel was completely removed. Visitors to its former URL are now met with a message stating, "This page isn't available." All of its content has been rendered inaccessible.
Most Viewed Video
The most popular video on the now-deleted channel featured an AI animation of actors Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a swimming pool. This single video had amassed 4.1 million views. The depiction referenced a past relationship, underscoring the personal nature of the AI-generated narratives.
YouTube's Response to the Removal
In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson clarified the circumstances of the channel's removal. According to the company, the channel flagged in news reports was deleted by its creator, and the content is no longer available on the platform as a result.
"The company prohibits harmful misinformation and removes content that has been technically manipulated or doctored in a way that misleads users," YouTube stated, reiterating its policy on misleading content.
An attempt to contact the owner of the @AIbollywoodishq channel was unsuccessful, as an email sent to the listed address bounced back. The owner had not responded to previous media inquiries.
The Broader Context in a Key Market
India represents YouTube's largest global market, with an estimated 600 million users. The platform is a primary source of entertainment for many, with Bollywood-related content being among the most popular categories. This large and engaged audience makes the platform a powerful distribution channel for all types of content, including AI-generated media.
Despite the removal of the "AI Bollywood Ishq" channel, other videos similar to those cited in the Bachchans' lawsuit remain online. These include clips showing AI-manipulated interactions, such as an actor suddenly kissing another actress and a fabricated scene of Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan sharing a meal.
The ongoing legal battle and the platform's response are being closely watched as a test case for how digital platforms will handle the proliferation of AI-generated content that blurs the line between parody and harmful misrepresentation. The outcome could set a precedent for protecting personal rights in the age of artificial intelligence.