Story perspectives

RSL Media Launches AI Consent Registry, Backed by Celebs

5/13/2026

Summary

RSL Media Launches Consent Registry

RSL Media will launch RSL Human Consent Standard registry in June, letting users reserve a consent ID and set AI permissions.
The registry uses a traffic-light model with options “allowed,” “allowed with terms,” and “prohibited.”
Co-founder and CEO Nikki Hexum says the framework makes consent visible to companies and policymakers.
Steven Soderbergh, Emma Thompson, Helen Mirren and CAA co-chair Kevin Huvane supported the initiative, citing AI-driven theft of artists’ work.

Summary

Celebs Trademark Likeness

RSL 1.0 became an official specification in December 2025, backed by Cloudflare, Akamai and Fastly.
AI crawlers can read the Human Consent Standard through a site’s robots.txt file, extending consent beyond single URLs.
Matthew McConaughey and Taylor Swift trademarked personal video clips, a photo and two soundbites to restrict AI replication of their likenesses.

History

Historical Context

The EU’s GDPR, adopted on 14 April 2016 and enforced from 25 May 2018, sparked high-profile actions such as Max Schrems’s NOYB suit and a €50 million French fine on Google. After record fines—including €1.2 billion on Meta in January 2025—RSL Media’s 2025 Human Consent Standard extends AI-use permission, and artists like Taylor Swift gain control over their digital likenesses.

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RSL Media Launches Consent Registry

RSL Media will launch RSL Human Consent Standard registry in June, letting users reserve a consent ID and set AI permissions.
The registry uses a traffic-light model with options “allowed,” “allowed with terms,” and “prohibited.”
Co-founder and CEO Nikki Hexum says the framework makes consent visible to companies and policymakers.
Steven Soderbergh, Emma Thompson, Helen Mirren and CAA co-chair Kevin Huvane supported the initiative, citing AI-driven theft of artists’ work.

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