New Delhi: Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed grave concern over the proliferation of deep fake videos, labelling them as a “dangerous and damaging form of misinformation.” This comes in the wake of a viral, deep-fake video featuring the likeness of actor Rashmika Mandanna.
Chandrasekhar emphasised the paramount importance of safeguarding the trust and security of the nation’s digital citizens. He further highlighted that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has taken a resolute stance against the proliferation of deep-fake content, issuing a second advisory within six months to urge online platforms to combat the dissemination of such deceptive material.
The Union Minister emphasised the severe threat posed by deep fake videos, particularly their negative impact on women. He stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and trust of all citizens, especially women and children, who are often targeted by such malicious content.
“Deepfakes are a major violation and harm women in particular. Our Government takes the responsibility of safety & trust of all nagriks very very seriously, and more so about our children and women who are targeted by such content,” said Chandrasekhar.
Chandrasekhar pointed out that under the Information Technology (IT) rules of 2021, online platforms are legally obligated to swiftly remove misinformation upon receiving reports from users or government authorities, with non-compliance leading to potential legal action under Rule 7 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
It is a legal obligation for online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation by any user under the Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021,” said the Union Minister.
He further urged online platforms to proactively combat the proliferation of deepfakes. Additionally, for individuals affected by deepfakes, Chandrasekhar encouraged them to file First Information Reports (FIRs) at their nearest police station and make use of the remedies offered by the IT rules of 2021.