Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Advises Social Media Companies on Deepfake Videos
Published: Tue 7 Nov 2023, 3:24 PM
The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued an advisory to social media companies regarding the spread of disinformation through deepfake videos. The advisory comes in response to a viral video that allegedly features actress Rashmika Mandanna, raising concerns about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create and distribute misleading content.
According to sources, the advisory reiterates the existing rules, including section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which states that cheating through personation using computer resources is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of up to Rs100,000.
The advisory also refers to the IT Intermediary Rules, specifically Rule 3(1)(b)(vii), which states that social media intermediaries must take due diligence to ensure that their platforms do not host any content that impersonates another person. Additionally, Rule 3(2)(b) requires intermediaries to remove or disable access to content related to impersonation, including artificially manipulated images, within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.
The government’s advisory comes in response to the recent circulation of a viral video depicting Rashmika Mandanna entering an elevator. However, it was later discovered that the video was doctored using deepfake technology and actually featured British-Indian influencer Zara Patel. This incident has caused shock and concern among the public.
Reacting to the alleged video, Rashmika Mandanna took to Instagram and expressed her distress. She emphasized the need to address such misuse of technology as it can be extremely harmful and has the potential to harm individuals’ identities and reputations.
As the issue of deepfake videos continues to be a growing concern, it is crucial for social media platforms to take proactive measures to identify and remove such content. The Indian government’s advisory serves as a reminder for companies to uphold their responsibility in ensuring that their platforms are not misused to spread disinformation or harm individuals’ privacy and reputations.
ALSO READ: [Related News Articles]
I have over 10 years of experience in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. I have attended numerous conferences and events around the world, and my work has been featured in major publications such as CoinDesk, Bitcoin Magazine, and Yahoo Finance.