OpenAI Partners with Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA to Strengthen Sora 2 Guardrails Against Unauthorized Deepfakes

OpenAI has partnered with actor Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and major Hollywood talent agencies including United Talent Agency and Creative Artists Agency to strengthen protections against unauthorized use of performers' voices and likenesses in OpenAI's Sora 2 text-to-video app. This collaboration comes after videos of Cranston and other celebrities, including deceased figures like Michael Jackson, were generated without consent, raising significant concerns about misuse and copyright violations. OpenAI apologized for these unintentional generations and has committed to an opt-in policy requiring explicit consent for replicating voices and likenesses, along with expedited response to complaints. Cranston expressed gratitude for OpenAI's improved guardrails and emphasized the importance of respecting performers' rights to control the replication of their identities. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin highlighted the positive resolution and underscored the need for artists to have the ability to opt into or out of such AI-generated content. This partnership marks OpenAI's most direct response to Hollywood's backlash over AI deepfakes and unauthorized digital replications, aligning with pending federal legislation like the No Fakes Act to protect performers and the public.