Aaradhya Bachchan Sues Google and YouTube! But Why?
Aaradhya Bachchan filed a legal petition to remove fake health videos about her, with the Delhi High Court ordering Google to take action and prevent further misinformation.
Aaradhya Bachchan, the 13-year-old daughter of Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, has recently found herself at the centre of a legal dispute due to malicious videos and fake news spreading about her health. Despite being a healthy school-going girl, certain videos on platforms like YouTube falsely claimed that Aaradhya was seriously ill and, in some cases, even reported her death.
The Bachchan family was disturbed by this fake news and decided to take legal action. On 19th April 2023, Aaradhya filed a petition in the Delhi High Court to remove these misleading videos and news. In her petition, Aaradhya stated that the videos used morphed images of her and spread fabricated claims, which were only meant to get views, money, and publicity. These videos not only violated her privacy but also exploited her image and violated copyright laws.
The Delhi High Court responded quickly and strongly, criticising the spread of such misinformation. The Court made it clear that every child deserves dignity and respect, and spreading false information about a child’s health is both illegal and unethical. The Court also pointed out that platforms like Google, which owns YouTube, must be held accountable for allowing such content.
The Court ordered Google to:
- Remove all misleading videos about Aaradhya Bachchan.
- Provide details of the people who uploaded the fake content.
- Ensure that future misleading videos about Aaradhya are removed quickly.
- Work with the central government to prevent such incidents from happening again, not just for Aaradhya, but for other children as well.
The case took another turn on 3rd February 2025 when the Court scheduled a hearing with several YouTube channels, including Bollywood Time, Bolly Pakora, Bolly Samosa, and Bollywood Shine. However, none of the owners or their representatives showed up for the hearing. As a result, Aaradhya’s legal team requested a summary judgment, asking the Court to quickly resolve the case without requiring more evidence, given the urgency of the situation.
Aaradhya's lawyers argued that the absence of the YouTube uploaders meant they forfeited their right to defend themselves. The Court then issued a notice to Google, asking for a response regarding how such fake videos were allowed to spread on their platform. The Court emphasised the harm caused by these fake videos and the emotional toll they had on Aaradhya and her family.
The case is moving forward, with the Bachchan family hopeful that the judicial system will act quickly to prevent further harm. The next hearing is scheduled for 17th March 2025.
