wire / 2026-10-19-80ea
AI Deepfake Ads Misuse Lin Xinru's Likeness, Prompting Legal Action
Lin Xinru was already the brand ambassador, so the shampoo ads only needed her consent. The AI version skipped that part and got a legal letter.
The facts
AI-generated advertisements featuring Lin Xinru's unauthorized likeness and voice appeared on Chinese social media platforms, promoting shampoo products. Despite being a brand ambassador, Lin Xinru did not consent to AI manipulation. Her team issued legal letters demanding removal, citing violation of image rights and reputational harm.