In a crucial move to safeguard democracy from the growing threat of deepfakes, Union Minister for IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has announced the formulation of new regulations. Expressing concern over the potential misuse of deepfake technology, Vaishnaw highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing this challenge head-on.
A recent meeting with social media platforms saw the minister emphasizing the need for concrete actions in several key areas. These include the detection and prevention of deepfakes, enhancing reporting mechanisms, and increasing user awareness. The consensus reached during these discussions underscores the urgency and collective responsibility to curb the spread of manipulated content.
Vaishnaw informed the public that the drafting of these regulations would commence soon, starting from Thursday. The aim is to establish a comprehensive framework specifically designed to tackle the deepfake menace. This regulatory framework could either involve amendments to existing laws or the introduction of new rules altogether. The minister revealed that the next meeting, scheduled for the first week of December, will delve into follow-up actions based on the decisions made in the previous meeting, including the incorporation of the draft regulation.
The rise of deepfake videos on social media, particularly targeting prominent figures like actors, has prompted widespread concern and public outrage. Notably, deepfakes featuring celebrities like Shahrukh Khan, Virat Kohli, and Akshay Kumar have surfaced in advertisements and sponsored posts. Shah Rukh Khan’s deepfake video, for instance, is featured in a game called Aviator, while Virat Kohli’s deepfake promotes a betting game.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has taken proactive measures by issuing advisories to various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. These advisories instruct platforms to promptly remove deepfakes, citing Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, which prescribes stringent penalties for cheating by personation using computer resources.
As India prepares to take decisive action against the deepfake challenge, the forthcoming regulations are poised to play a crucial role in fortifying the digital landscape and upholding the integrity of online content.
