Estonian actors warn EU AI rules could erode rights to their image and voice

The Estonian Actors' Union fears that the EU's draft amendments to the GDPR will make it easier for artificial-intelligence tools to exploit actors' faces, voices, and movement patterns without obtaining separate consent or providing transparency. Union leader Reimo Sagor explained that the proposed wording could dilute the definition of personal data, allowing AI systems to learn and reproduce an actor’s unique gestures even if they cannot be directly linked to a specific individual.

He stressed that such a loophole would effectively legalise the unlicensed use of performers’ work. In response, the union has publicly declared that its members' performances must not be used for AI training without explicit permission. The concerns have been forwarded to Estonia’s Ministry of Culture, where Minister Heidy Purga pledged to defend the actors' rights, and to the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, where Kristi Värk noted that discussions are ongoing in the Council of the European Union. Both ministries plan to address the issue in an upcoming culture ministers’ meeting in Tallinn and seek collaborative solutions with other small states.