Scarlett Johansson has filed a legal complaint against an AI app that used her name and image in an online ad without her permission, according to the report by Variety. The app, known as Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar, posted a 22-second video on the internet, falsely implying that Johansson was endorsing it.
Her representatives clarified that she has no association with the app, and her lawyer, Kevin Yorn, handled the matter legally. The ad, which initially featured a clip of Johansson from the “Black Widow” movie, transitioned into AI-generated images resembling her, with a fake voice imitating her endorsing the app.
The ad also included a disclaimer stating that the images were produced by Lisa AI and had no connection to Scarlett Johansson. According to the report, several Lisa AI apps, created by Convert Software, are still available on app stores (Apple and Google Play Store), but the app maker did not respond to the matter.
California and many other states have strict privacy laws, allowing individuals to sue for the unauthorized use of their name, voice, image, or likeness for advertising. While some celebrities pursue legal action in such cases, many are resolved with cease and desist orders.
It’s worth noting that Scarlett Johansson is not the only celebrity to have her name and image misused for promotional purposes. Recently, Tom Hanks also had to warn his fans about an AI-generated video featuring him in a dental plan ad, emphasizing that he had no involvement in it.
Commenting on these developments, Kevin Yorn, Scarlett Johansson’s lawyer, stated:
We do not take these matters lightly. As is our standard procedure in such situations, we will address them through all available legal remedies.