Dear Editor,

As artificial intelligence (AI) advances at breathtaking speed, a critical human rights issue has emerged: the theft and misuse of our biological identities. Deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI-generated impersonations now allow anyone’s face, body, or voice to be digitally hijacked for fraud, harassment, propaganda, or exploitation.

Denmark recently pioneered a revolutionary solution: granting citizens automatic copyright over their likeness (face, voice, and body). Under proposed amendments to its Copyright Act: • Every individual owns their biometric identity by default

• Unauthorised AI replicas can be forcibly removed from platforms

• Tech giants face severe fines for non-compliance

• Protections exempt parody and free expression

Why should Jamaica act?

1) Safeguard dignity: No Jamaican should be digitally “copied” without consent — whether a farmer, artist, or civil servant.

2) Protect creatives: Musicians, actors, and athletes (Jamaica’s global icons) face economic harm from AI voice clones or deepfakes.

3) Prevent harm: Deepfakes can incite violence, enable scams, or destroy reputations overnight.

4) Lead the Caribbean: As a hub of culture and innovation, Jamaica can set a regional standard for digital rights.

Denmark’s model proves this is feasible. Its cross-party support shows this transcends politics — it’s about human sovereignty in the digital age.

I urge the Jamaican Government to:

• Initiate public consultations on biometric copyright legislation.

• Empower the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) to enforce likeness rights.

• Impose penalties on platforms hosting unauthorised AI replicas.

• Ensure exemptions for satire, journalism, and artistic expression.

Technology must serve humanity, not erase our autonomy. Let Jamaica protect its people’s faces, voices, and futures — before the digital copy machine runs wild.

Yannick Nesta Pessoa

Community activist

Montego Bay

yannickpessoa@yahoo.com