"OpenAI blocks MLK Jr. videos on Sora after 'disrespectful depictions'" 17 October 2025

OpenAI has blocked users from making videos of Martin Luther King Jr. on its Sora app after the estate of the civil rights leader complained about the spread of "disrespectful depictions."

Since the company launched Sora three weeks ago, hyper-realistic deepfake videos of King saying crude, offensive or racist things have rocketed across social media, including fake videos of King stealing from a grocery store, speeding away from police and perpetuating racial stereotypes.

Late on Thursday, OpenAI and King's estate released a joint statement saying AI videos portraying King are being blocked as the company "strengthens guardrails for historical figures."

OpenAI said it believes there are "strong free speech interests" in allowing users to make AI deepfakes of historical figures, but that estates should have ultimate control over how those likenesses are used.

The Sora app, which remains invite-only, has taken a shoot-first, aim-later approach to safety guardrails, which has raised alarms with intellectual property lawyers, public figures and disinformation researchers...

...In the days after the Sora app was released, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced changes to the app providing rights holders the ability to opt into their likenesses being depicted by AI, rather than such portrayals being allowed by default.

Still, the families of some deceased celebrities and public figures have criticized OpenAI for allowing depictions of vulgar, unflattering or incriminating behavior.

After videos of Robin Williams flooded social media feeds, Zelda Williams, the late actor's daughter, asked the public to stop making videos of her father. "Please, just stop sending me AI videos of my dad," she wrote in an Instagram post, adding that "it's NOT what he'd want."

Bernice King, the civil rights leader's daughter, agreed, writing on X: "Please stop."..