Crackdown on Deepfake Content: Government’s Ultimatum to Social Media

Crackdown on Deepfake Content: Government's Ultimatum to Social Media

VoM News Desk | November 7, 2023 | 08:45 PM IST | Crime | Follow on Google News

Crackdown on Deepfake Content: Government’s Ultimatum to Social Media

Crackdown on Deepfake Content: Government’s Ultimatum to Social Media

In a decisive move to combat the spread of deepfake content, the Indian government has mandated social media platforms to remove any reported deepfake material within a 36-hour window. The advisory, issued on Tuesday by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), explicitly states that platforms failing to adhere to this directive will face the loss of ‘safe harbour immunity’. This would subject them to potential criminal and judicial action under Indian law.

IT Rules Enforced to Battle Misinformation

The government’s advisory calls for significant social media intermediaries to exercise due diligence and promptly act against misinformation and deepfakes, especially content that breaches rules, regulations, or user agreements. This directive aligns with the stipulations of the IT Rules 2021, emphasizing the urgency and expediency required in handling such matters. The intermediaries are reminded that non-compliance could lead to them being stripped of the legal protections afforded under Section 79(1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Legal Remedies and Penalties Outlined

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, has urged victims of deepfakes to lodge police complaints and seek redress under the IT Act, which includes provisions for jail time and financial penalties for offenders. He highlighted the importance of this in light of a recent incident involving a deepfake video of actor Rashmika Mandanna, which gained attention after being shared on the social media platform X. The incident brought to the forefront the serious threat posed by such deceptive content.

Online Platforms’ Legal Obligation to Act

Social media platforms are legally obligated to prevent the dissemination of misinformation by users under the Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021. They are required to remove offending content within 36 hours upon notification by a user or a government authority. Failure to comply with these mandates triggers Rule 7, granting affected individuals the right to take legal action against these platforms under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The minister’s statement underscores the necessity for online platforms to take proactive steps to address the threat of deepfakes and misinformation.

VoM News Desk

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