New Delhi: In response to growing concerns raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prominent celebrities regarding the threat of deepfake technology, the Indian government has announced decisive measures. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw declared in a meeting that regulations addressing deepfakes would be expedited, with a draft expected in the coming weeks.
Speaking at a press conference following discussions with social media platforms and artificial intelligence companies, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted deepfakes as a menace to democracy. He emphasised that accountability for such content would extend to both creators and the hosting platforms, hinting at potential penalties for violations.
Four key issues took center stage during the meeting: detection methods for deepfakes, prevention of their dissemination, establishment of a reporting mechanism, and public awareness. Minister Vaishnaw confirmed the need for new regulations and pledged immediate action, exploring the possibility of introducing them through rules, legislation, or amendments.
Addressing the global nature of digital content, the minister stressed that content displayed in India must adhere to Indian laws, regardless of its origin. When questioned about penalties for harmful deepfakes, he assured a comprehensive examination during the drafting process.
The government plans to solicit public input via the MyGov portal and underscored its commitment to preserving free speech and privacy. Minister Vaishnaw reiterated the importance of preventing harm from AI-generated synthetic content and announced the next meeting in early December to review follow-up actions.
Notably, social media companies pledged interim measures aligning with their policies until the government enacts specific regulations. Prime Minister Modi’s recent call for global collaboration on AI safety resonated in the discussions, further underlining the urgency to address deepfake concerns.
With celebrities expressing worries about AI misuse, the government’s swift response reflects a commitment to safeguarding society and democracy from the perils of deepfakes.
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