Government of India is planning new regulations that may impose penalties on both creator and platform hosting deepfakes as it looks to clamp down on what IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishaw described as “a threat to democracy“.
After some celebrities reporting their faces being manipulate onto another video, new protection regulations being consider will look at measures including watermarking AI-generated content, deepfake detection, rules for data bias, privacy and guards against concentration.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said after meeting with various stakeholders, including social media platforms, Nasscom and other professors from the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
Government, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, would come up with actionable items on four pillars, detection of deepfakes, preventing the spread of such content, strengthening reporting mechanisms, and spreading awareness on the issue within 10 days.
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All stakeholders present at the meeting share similar concerns regarding deepfakes, Ashwini Vaishnaw said :
India has over 80 crore internet users, which are project to cross 120 crore in two years.
Deepfake is a piece of technology that leverages AI to alter a person’s appearance, voice, or actions in a way that can be realistic and challenging to discern from authentic, unaltered content.
Recent deepfakes have brought to the fore the urgency of a regulatory framework for AI in the new Digital India law.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said deepfake advertisements or misleading promotions are a threat that Indian society is facing currently.
Ashwini Vaishnaw Said :
Deepfakes shot into prominence after actor Rashmika Mandanna’s face was found to have use in an embarrassing video earlier this month.
Some other celebrities including Katrina Kaif and Kajol were also report to be victims of deepfake.
Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also warn about the threat deepfakes pose.
Ashwini Vaishnaw warn social media platforms would lose the immunity they enjoy under the ‘safe harbour’ clause in the Information and Technology Act if they fail to take measures against deepfakes.
The clause said that an online platform cannot be held accountable for the content share on it by users.
After the meeting with stakeholders, Ashwini Vaishnaw said deepfake video creators have found ways to even crack labelling and watermarks.
Next meeting on the subject will be held in the first week of December 2023.
Within the next 10 days, the government would come up with clear actionable items on four pillars, detection (of deepfakes, misinformation), how to prevent spread of misinformation, how to strengthen reporting mechanisms, (in-app reporting mechanisms have to be strengthened) and increasing awareness, Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said :
He also said there are very urgent steps need to be taken to strengthen trust in society and to protect our democracy.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said :
Until the regulation is made, social media platforms and companies promise to take all possible measures to prevent the spread of deepfakes.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said :
Stating that free speech and privacy are both important for the government, Ashwini Vaishnaw said both these constructs are being undermine with deepfake.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said :