Concerns about deepfake information appearing on social media have been addressed in an alert released by the Ministry of Information Technology. Recent occurrences involving doctored recordings of celebrities like Rashmika Mandanna and Katrina Kaif are what prompted the alert.
In an effort to counter the growing threat of deepfakes in India, the Congress party has contacted Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and emphasized the need for a robust legislative framework. They contend that deepfakes endanger people’s security and privacy.
A Union Minister’s Guidance on Addressing Deepfakes
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, has recommended victims of deepfakes produced by AI to file First Information Reports (FIRs) at the closest police stations.
He added that one may make use of the remedies offered by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021.
Rule 3(1)(b)(vii) of the IT Intermediary Rules was referenced in the recommendation, highlighting the significance of platforms abiding by laws, privacy policies, and user agreements that forbid content that impersonates others.
MeitY Demands the Immediate Removal of Content Created by AI
Major social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have received alerts from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) asking them to take down artificial intelligence (AI)-generated bogus information within a day. The purpose of this step is to alleviate the problems caused by deepfakes and false information.
Advisory Restates Online Platforms’ Legal Responsibilities
The guidance restates the legal requirements that internet platforms, in their capacity as intermediaries, must adhere to. It emphasizes current regulations under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which include fines of up to Rs. 1 lakh and imprisonment for up to three years for defrauding by impersonating someone using computer resources.
