Government to unveil revised IT rules to combat deepfakes

Responding to the increasing threat of deepfake incidents, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has announced that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will release revised IT rules within the next week. The announcement follows a deepfake incident involving cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Chandrasekhar expressed the government’s determination to tackle the deepfake challenge. “The government is firm in ensuring compliance with the advisory on deepfake issues. Any lapses in adherence will prompt the enactment of clear and amended IT rules, as previously notified,” he said.

The recent incident involved a manipulated video featuring Sachin Tendulkar endorsing an application, using altered visuals and voice to create a deceptive appearance of authentic promotion. This misuse of technology represents an emerging form of cyber fraud, with social media platforms experiencing an increase in fabricated videos featuring various celebrities.

Deepfake, defined as a product of specialized machine learning called “deep” learning, generates convincingly realistic but entirely fictional images or videos. Its proliferation poses a significant threat to democratic processes and societal institutions globally, especially when disseminated through social media platforms.

MeitY has consistently urged social media intermediaries to exercise due diligence and promptly address deepfake concerns. The ministry issued an advisory on December 26 directing intermediaries to comply with existing IT rules, specifically targeting misinformation fueled by AI-driven deepfakes.

The advisory outlined key directives for social media intermediaries, including:
— Exercising due diligence to identify and act against misinformation and deepfakes violating rules and regulations.
–Promptly acting on reported cases within the stipulated timeframes of the IT Rules 2021.
— Discouraging users from hosting such content and swiftly removing reported content within 36 hours.
— Ensuring expeditious action and disabling access to infringing content, following IT Rules 2021.

Intermediaries were sternly reminded that failure to comply with IT Act provisions and rules could lead to repercussions under Rule 7 of the IT Rules 2021, potentially jeopardizing protection under Section 79(1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

To counter the deepfake threat, the central government is set to introduce enhanced IT rules. Chandrasekhar said that these rules, designed to take stringent measures, will be unveiled in the next seven to eight days. He emphasized the government’s dedication to safeguarding the well-being of citizens, particularly women targeted by such malicious content.

Highlighting the legal obligation of online platforms under the IT Rules 2021, Chandrasekhar urged proactive measures to combat misinformation. He encouraged individuals affected by deepfakes to file FIRs at the nearest police station, utilizing remedies provided by the Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021.

The new IT rules represent a significant step towards curbing the spread of deepfakes in India. While the effectiveness of these regulations remains to be seen, their introduction demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing this growing threat and ensuring a safer online environment for all.