Government Takes Action Following Viral Deepfake Video of Actor Rashmika Mandanna. New Delhi: The Indian government has issued a stern reminder to social media platforms, highlighting the legal consequences of spreading deepfake content, in the wake of a viral video falsely depicting actor Rashmika Mandanna. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has outlined the penalties for creating and disseminating deepfakes.

Concerns Over Deepfake Misuse 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has sent an advisory to social media platforms to address growing concerns about the misuse of deepfake technology. Deepfakes involve the use of Artificial Intelligence to manipulate videos or images, often leading to disinformation and deception. 

Legal Provisions

The government has invoked Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which pertains to 'punishment for cheating by personation using a computer resource.' According to this section, individuals who engage in such activities can face imprisonment for up to 3 years and a fine of up to 1 lakh rupees. 

Viral Deepfake Incident

The government's advisory follows an incident involving a viral video that falsely portrayed actor Rashmika Mandanna entering an elevator. It was later revealed that the video was manipulated using deepfake technology and featured British-Indian influencer Zara Patel with Ms. Mandanna's face superimposed.

Impact on Public Figures

The incident raised concerns about the potential harm caused by such manipulations, particularly for public figures whose images can be doctored into compromising situations. Rashmika Mandanna expressed her distress, calling the episode "extremely scary" and highlighting the misuse of technology.

Industry Reaction

Several prominent voices in the film industry, including legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, have raised alarms over this matter and have called for legal action to be taken against those responsible.

Government's Commitment to Safety

Rajeev Chandrsekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring safety and trust for all Indians. He pointed out the legal obligations for platforms under the Information Technology rules and the need to swiftly address misinformation.

Action Against Deepfakes

The minister highlighted the significance of the Information Technology rules of April 2023, which require platforms to remove reported misinformation within 36 hours. Failure to comply with these rules can lead to legal action against the platforms. 

Challenges of Deepfakes

The rise of deepfakes poses a new challenge as they can be more deceptive and harmful than previous forms of misinformation. The government stressed the importance of platforms taking effective measures to combat this issue. 

Ongoing Availability of Deepfake Video

Despite the government's actions, the deepfake video remains accessible on social media platforms, raising questions about the effectiveness of measures to combat such content.

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