Govt warns social media platforms after Rashmika Mandanna deepfake video goes viral
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has issued a stern warning to social media platforms today, emphasising their legal obligations in the fight against deepfakes and all other forms of misinformation. The trigger for his message was the shocking actress Rashmika Mandanna deepfake video that went viral. Originally, the video showcased Zara Patel, a British-Indian influencer, but it had been manipulated to replace her face with Rashmika Mandanna using deepfake technology.
In a tweet, Chandrasekhar stated, "PM @narendramodi ji's Govt is committed to ensuring Safety and Trust of all Digital Nagriks using Internet," and outlined the legal responsibilities that social media platforms must uphold under the IT rules.
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As per the IT rules established in April 2023, it is mandatory for these platforms to prevent the dissemination of misinformation by users and to promptly remove such content when reported by either users or the government.
Failure to adhere to these rules can lead to legal action, as per the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, warned the minister. He emphasised that deep fakes, which involve the use of AI to alter photos or videos, have become a concerning source of misinformation and need to be addressed by these platforms.
Deepfakes have gained notoriety as a tool for generating fake viral content, and the incident involving Zara Patel and Rashmika Mandanna highlights the potential harm they can cause.
Patel, a popular Instagram influencer with a massive following, shared a video last month in which she was seen entering an elevator wearing a black outfit. To the shock of her audience, her face had been changed to that of Rashmika Mandanna as she entered the lift.
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