PERSONALITY RIGHTS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: SAFEGUARDING THE SELF IN INDIA

Abstract

Originally intended to protect an individual's identity, the right to privacy has expanded to encompass a person's name, voice, and other distinctive traits. The extent to which digitalization has impeded personal freedom is noteworthy, ranging from the illegal use of celebrity photos by street vendors to the danger of deepfakes. Today's digital world and artificial intelligence offer countless opportunities for communication and business, but they also pose significant challenges to individual rights. The development of personality rights is traced in this article, starting with the conventional privacy principles and ending with their legal standing as an independent right. It investigates issues pertaining to the regulation and protection of the digital environment as well as novel types of cyber victimization. In order to reflect the current legal framework, pertinent statutes and case laws are also examined. In order to maintain a balance between individual dignity and technological advancement, the paper ends by suggesting a path forward for bolstering personality rights in the digital age.