Deepfakes: IT minister gives 7-Day deadline to social media platforms

After several celebrities' deepfake videos surfaced online, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) is set to develop a platform on which users can notify about IT rule violations across different social media platforms.

The Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the government will assist nationals in filing FIRs against social media platforms for violation of IT rules. This will include objectionable content like deepfake photos and videos.

What are the current standings?

After meeting with the Social media representatives, the Union minister added that social media platforms have been given seven days to line up their terms of use. 

Chandrasekhar said, "The Meity will assist users to very easily notify it about violation of IT rules and assist them in filing FIRs."

What is government's Policy on Deepfakes?

Furthermore, he highlighted the zero-tolerance policy for IT rules violation, and said, "From today onwards there is zero tolerance for violation of IT rules."

Chandrasekhar also said that under Rule 7, an officer will be nominated who will be entrusted with building a mechanism where users can put in their complaints regarding deepfakes.

#WATCH | On Deep fake issue, MoS Electronics & Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar says, "The Rule Seven officer will also be a person who will create a platform where it will be very easy for citizens to bring to the attention of the Government of India their notices or allegations… pic.twitter.com/AHiATR6DD4

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2023

The IT minister said that an officer will be appointed for the users, under Rule 7, he said, "The Rule Seven officer will also be a person who will create a platform where it will be very easy for citizens to bring to the attention of the government of India their notices or allegations or reports of violation of law by the platforms. And the Rule Seven officer will take that digital platform information and respond accordingly."

What are deepfake images and videos?

Deepfakes are realistic yet fabricated images and videos created by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms by changing the facial appearance. These can digitally manipulate one person's likeness with another. 

Who are victims of Deepfake images and videos?

Earlier, Deepfake images and videos of Rashmika Mandanna, Katrina Kaif, and Sara Tendulkar surfaced online forcing the government to regulate the social media presence of anti-social elements.