Rashmika Mandana and a deepfake video. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has sent out a guidance note to social media platforms, emphasizing the legal regulations about deepfake content.
According to sources, the Centre has issued a rule reminder to social media platforms following a widely circulated deepfake video purportedly of actor Rashmika Mandanna.
Concerns have arisen over the use of Artificial Intelligence for disseminating misinformation. Additionally, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has advised social media platforms, emphasizing the legal consequences associated with the creation and dissemination of such deep fakes.
The government has referenced Section 66D of the Information Technology Act from the year 2000. This particular section deals with ‘punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resource’ and stipulates, “Any individual who engages in cheating by pretending through the use of any communication device or computer resource shall be subject to imprisonment for a duration of up to three years and may also be subject to a fine of up to one lakh rupees.”
The government’s advisory follows a viral video initially thought to feature Ms. Mandanna in an elevator, which was later discovered to be British-Indian influencer Zara Patel. Deepfake technology had been used to superimpose Ms. Mandanna’s face onto Ms. Patel’s, causing widespread shock and concern.
Ms. Mandanna expressed her distress over the incident, describing it as “highly concerning.” “It pains me to have to address the spread of a deepfake video impersonating me online. This situation is truly frightening, not just for myself but for everyone susceptible to the potential harm caused by the misuse of technology,” she remarked. – Rashmika Mandana and a deepfake video.
Prominent actors Amitabh Bachchan and other members of the film industry brought attention to the issue and demanded that legal action be taken.
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated yesterday that the Narendra Modi administration is dedicated to protecting Indians’ safety and trust.
Under the IT regulations announced in April 2023, platforms are required by law to make sure that no user posts false information and that false information is removed from the site within 36 hours of being reported by the government or another user. Platforms that violate this will be subject to rule 7, which states that a person who feels wronged may take the platform to court using the IPC’s provisions. Using the hashtags SafeTrustedInternet, Accountable, and DigitalIndia, the minister tweeted yesterday. Deep fakes are the newest, even more harmful, and dangerous form of misinformation, and platforms need to deal with them.
Nonetheless, social media platforms continue to host the video.
Ratnavali