The Centre has issued a reminder to social media platforms regarding the consequences of deepfake videos after a viral video claiming to feature actor Rashmika Mandanna raised concerns about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to spread disinformation. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has sent an advisory to social media platforms, emphasizing the legal provisions and penalties associated with the creation and circulation of deepfakes.
The government has referred to Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which covers “punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resource.” This section states that individuals who cheat by impersonating someone using a computer resource can face imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to one lakh rupees.
The government’s advisory follows the circulation of a viral video that initially appeared to show Rashmika Mandanna in an elevator. However, it was later discovered that the video had been manipulated using deepfake technology, and the face of British-Indian influencer Zara Patel had been replaced with Mandanna’s face. This revelation has raised concerns about the potential consequences of such manipulations, particularly for public figures who may face trouble due to the unauthorized use of their images.
Mandanna expressed her distress over the deepfake video, describing it as “extremely scary.” She highlighted the misuse of technology and the harm it can cause to individuals who are vulnerable to such manipulations. Prominent figures in the film industry, including actor Amitabh Bachchan, have also called for legal action in response to the incident.
The government’s reminder aligns with the Information Technology rules implemented in April 2023. These rules impose a legal obligation on platforms to prevent the dissemination of misinformation. If a user or the government reports misinformation, platforms are required to remove it within 36 hours. Failure to comply with this rule can result in legal action under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Deepfakes are considered a particularly dangerous form of misinformation and must be effectively addressed by social media platforms.
Despite the government’s advisory, the video in question can still be found on various social media platforms.
