The family of late actor Robin Williams has reactivated his official Instagram account to protect his memory from unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) content. His children—Zak, Zelda, and Cody Williams—announced the decision on Tuesday, stating that they want the profile to be an authentic and safe space for fans to remember him.
Robin Williams died in 2014, and his Instagram profile had remained inactive since then. However, the rise of generative AI tools has made it easy for internet users to create unauthorized videos and voice clones of deceased public figures. Zelda Williams explained that posting real photos and authentic clips of her father is one of the best ways to fight back against the growing abuse of his voice and image online.
Last year, Zelda Williams publicly asked fans to stop sending her AI-generated videos of her father, calling the trend maddening. The problem extends across the entertainment industry, as various AI apps and platforms have faced criticism for generating unauthorized or deepfake videos of actors and musicians.
By taking control of the account, the Williams family hopes to share authentic moments of the beloved actor's humor and talent with the world while keeping his legacy genuine.