PM Modi addresses the issue of deepfake technology days after Rashmika Mandanna’s video went viral on social media platforms.
Image Source- MINT
Narendra Modi on Friday criticised the misuse of Artificial Intelligence and applied media to educate citizens about such a crisis of ‘deepfakes’. Deepfakes are basically Artificial Intelligence through which a person in videos or photos can be replaced by someone else’s lookalike.
The first major case of deepfake that came into limelight was of actress Rashmika Mandanna. The original video was of a British influencer and the video was edited with Rashmika Mandanna’s face. The video surfaced on various social media platforms creating havoc and a wave of privacy breach among netizens.
PM addressed media at Bharatiya Janata Party’s office in New Delhi during BJP’s Diwali programme and said that he is affirmed to make India ‘Viksit Bharat’ and said it’s not a mere dream but a ground reality.
Image Source- businesstoday.in
More highlights of PM modi’s speech during Diwali Milan Programme
He further highlighted the achievements made by India during Covid-19 pandemic which leads to a sense of confidence among people that India will soon be reaching to more such heights. He further hailed India’s initiative of ‘Vocal for Local’. Adding on to his speech he shared with people that Chhath Pooja is now considered as the National festival of India which is a source of happiness and joy in the lives of citizens.
Considering the impending danger that deepfakes causes to arise in near future, Union Minister for Electronics and Technology, Mr. Rajeev Chandrashekar took to social media platform, X and posted that deepfakes are the new and most latest dangerous side of Artificial Intelligence and also cited the legal framework that people need to follow while using social media platforms.
Letters to social media platforms
To validate the obligations made by Indian Laws on misuse of AI technology, the Union Ministry for Electronics and IT wrote letters to social media platforms as well to stop this future danger lurking on people and their privacy. The first advisory on deepfakes was sent in February after which two others letters were sent dated November 6 and November 7 paving way for guidelines that social media platforms have to follow.
Letter dated on November 6, citing section 66 of IT Act, 2000 states that anyone who uses computer technology to personate some other person is entitled for three years of jail and a monetary fine of up to RS 1 lakhs.the letters further states that non compliance to follow guidelines will result social media platforms in losing their safe harbour. The deepfakes needs to be removed within 36 hours after being reported. Furthermore, the Electronics and IT minister said that it is the legal obligation of social media apps to restrain the spread of misinformation.
The guidelines further mentions that if a user reports any deepfake video or photos, the case needs to be resolved within 72 hours of reporting.
Image Source- The Statesman
The issue of deepfakes are on rising because after Rashmika Mandanna, false videos of actress Katrina Kaif and Kajol are also surfing on social media platforms. The issue of deepfakes highlights the negative side of Artificial Intelligence that needs to be dealt with immediate guidelines and policies as it causes breach in the privacy of the social media platforms users.
