The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a stern advisory, putting intermediaries on high alert regarding the growing threat of deepfake videos. The advisory, spearheaded by IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, emphasizes the need for due diligence in promptly removing misinformation content from their platforms.
The directive from MeitY specifically mandates that intermediaries clearly and precisely communicate prohibited content, particularly those outlined under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules, to users. This move is aimed at curbing the spread of deepfake videos and ensuring that users are well-informed about the prohibited content.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted the importance of the advisory, stating that it provides a formal framework to ensure users on various platforms do not inadvertently violate the rules outlined in Rule 3.
Chandrasekhar issued a strong warning, stating, “If such legal violations are noted or reported, then the consequences under law will follow.” This underscores the government’s commitment to tackling the menace of deepfake videos and holding intermediaries accountable for the content hosted on their platforms.
The advisory comes on the heels of a series of meetings between government officials and representatives from major tech companies, including Meta, Google, Telegram, Koo, Sharechat, Apple, HP, and Dell. These discussions centered around addressing the looming threat posed by deepfake technology and formulating strategies to mitigate its impact.
In its latest advisory, the government has explicitly stated, “The content not permitted under the IT Rules, in particular those listed under Rule 3(1)(b), must be clearly communicated to the users in clear and precise language…”
