IT Ministry Issues Strong Warning to Social Media Giants Over Deepfakes

IT Ministry Issues Strong Warning to Social Media Giants Over Deepfakes

Akif Wani | November 7, 2023 | 10:10 PM IST | India, Technology | Follow on Google News

IT Ministry Issues Strong Warning to Social Media Giants Over Deepfakes

IT Ministry Issues Strong Warning to Social Media Giants Over Deepfakes

In a recent turn of events, a so-called ‘deepfake’ video featuring the popular actor Rashmika Mandanna has gone viral on various social media platforms, including Instagram. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has taken swift action by sending notices to all social media intermediaries, reiterating that online impersonation is illegal. This press release follows the actor’s expression of horror regarding the situation. The deepfake video, which lasted only a few seconds, showcased a woman resembling Ms. Mandanna entering an elevator in a bodysuit. Interestingly, the original video featured a British-Indian model who had posted it on Instagram the previous October.

Ministry’s Warning and 36-Hour Content Removal Requirement

The Ministry has issued a stern warning to social media platforms, emphasizing the need to remove such content within 36 hours, as outlined in the IT Rules of 2021. Additionally, the Ministry urges platforms to exercise due diligence and make reasonable efforts to identify misinformation and deepfakes. Ms. Mandanna, deeply disturbed by the video’s viral spread, voiced her concerns, stating that the experience was genuinely scary. She acknowledged the support from the public and her family this time but couldn’t help but wonder how she would have tackled such a situation if it had happened during her school or college days.

Meta, a major player in the social media world, has not responded to queries seeking comment on this incident, leaving many to wonder about their stance on the matter. Deepfakes are a growing concern as they are often based on real videos and manipulated to alter people’s appearances and voices. With advancing technology and falling costs of Artificial Intelligence systems, the quality and ease of creating video deepfakes are on the rise.

IT Ministry Issues Strong Warning to Social Media Giants Over Deepfakes. In case of rectification of any error in this Article, Visit on Correction Policy or Register your Query

Akif Wani