Deepfakes, propelled by AI’s advancements, have escalated concerns worldwide, infiltrating various platforms since their emergence in 2017. Recent cybersecurity reports note a significant 230% surge in their utilization by cybercriminals, signaling an impending threat surpassing traditional phishing methods.
India, recognizing the severity of this challenge, has swiftly responded by enacting IT Rules mandating rapid takedowns of reported deepfake content. Instances involving Rashmika Mandanna’s manipulated videos prompted legal action, triggering a proactive approach to combat this menace.
To address the rising threat, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, spearheaded a pivotal meeting today. The discussion included key stakeholders from social media platforms, leading AI firms, and esteemed AI experts, focusing on formulating stringent regulations against the proliferation of deepfakes.
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the urgency, stating, “Deepfakes pose a severe threat to democracy, spreading rapidly through social media without proper checks. It is imperative that we take urgent steps to instill trust in society and safeguard our democratic principles.”
India’s proactive stance involves implementing a four-pillar action plan encompassing deepfake detection, prevention of dissemination, bolstering reporting mechanisms, and fostering public awareness. The government aims to finalize regulations within the coming weeks to mitigate the growing threat.
Following today’s productive dialogue, Minister Vaishnaw announced plans to unveil a comprehensive strategy within the next 10 days. This strategy aims to counter the deepfake menace and reinforce societal trust.
The government’s commitment to combatting deepfakes aligns with recent calls from prominent figures like Amitabh Bachchan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their efforts underscore the urgency to address this technology’s potential misuse and safeguard India’s democratic principles.
The upcoming meeting scheduled for early December signifies India’s commitment to refining strategies, underscoring the collaborative approach aimed at swiftly countering the deepfake challenge. As the issue gains prominence, India remains resolute in its resolve to curb this growing threat to societal trust and democracy.
Strategic Framework to Counter Deepfakes
- Detection: Implementing measures to identify deepfake content before and after its publication.
- Prevention: Establishing an effective system to curb the dissemination of deepfake content.
- Reporting: Ensuring an efficient mechanism for reporting and addressing grievances related to deepfake content.
- Awareness: Launching widespread campaigns to educate the public about the risks associated with deepfakes.
- Regulatory Measures and Upcoming Meeting:
- Regulation Drafting: MeitY initiating the drafting of regulations to tackle deepfake threats, seeking public feedback through the MyGov portal.
- Follow-Up Meeting: A scheduled meeting in December 2023 involving stakeholders to finalize a structured approach focused on the four pillars.
- The Minister affirmed the introduction of new regulations to combat the gravity of the deepfake threat. Emphasizing that deepfakes are not an expression of free speech but rather harmful to society, the government remains steadfast in using technology and public awareness to address the escalating risks associated with deepfakes.
