Punjab Proposes up to 3 Years Jail Time and Heavy Fines for AI Deepfakes of Artists
Punjab has drafted a law to stop AI misuse of artists' voices, faces, and identities, with jail terms and heavy fines for violations.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
The Punjab government has prepared a draft law to protect performers from AI misuse, including deepfakes, voice cloning, and fake endorsements. The proposed bill would require written consent for AI use and impose prison time and fines for violations.
Punjab wants a new rulebook so nobody can use an artist’s face or voice like a copied sticker without permission. If someone does, they could face jail or a fine, like getting caught using another kid’s homework as their own.
Analysis
What the draft law does
Punjab has prepared the Punjab Performers’ Digital Identity and AI Protection Act 2026, according to the article. The draft is meant to protect artists and performers from unauthorized use of their voice, facial features, and digital identity as AI-generated manipulation becomes more common.
What is banned
Under the proposed law, it would be illegal to create deepfakes, clone voices, make fake endorsements, or generate other digital content using a performer’s likeness without consent. Producers and content creators would also need clear written permission before using AI tools in projects involving performers, and they would have to disclose any AI involvement in films, advertisements, or similar productions.
Penalties and protections
The article says violations could bring imprisonment of up to three years along with substantial fines. The draft also proposes a digital rights registry to formally protect performers’ identities. Special safeguards would apply to minors and deceased artists, with protections remaining valid for up to 25 years after death.
The overall thrust of the draft is straightforward: it tries to make AI use in entertainment more accountable by tying it to consent, disclosure, and legal penalties. The article does not say when the bill will be passed, only that it has been prepared.
Key points
- Punjab has drafted the Punjab Performers’ Digital Identity and AI Protection Act 2026.
- The bill would ban unauthorized deepfakes, voice cloning, and fake endorsements using a performer’s likeness.
- Creators would need written consent and would have to disclose AI use in productions.
- Violations could lead to up to three years in prison and substantial fines.
- The draft also proposes a digital rights registry and special protections for minors and deceased artists.
If the bill becomes law and is enforced, it could give performers stronger control over how their identity is used. It may also push film, ad, and content teams to ask for permission and clearly disclose AI use.
If the rules stay only on paper, deepfake abuse could continue while artists still struggle to get quick protection. The draft could also be hard to enforce if AI content spreads faster than legal complaints or registry checks.
