The IT Minister has given social media platforms a serious warning due to a deepfake video involving actress Rashmika Mandanna, which has raised concerns about online identity theft and spreading false information.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has sent a strong message to social media platforms today, reminding them of their legal responsibilities in the battle against deepfakes and various types of false information. His statement was prompted by a disturbing deepfake video featuring actress Rashmika Mandanna that spread widely. Initially, the video featured Zara Patel, a British-Indian influencer, but it was altered using deepfake technology to replace her face with Rashmika Mandanna’s.
Penalties for not following the rules
In a tweet, Chandrasekhar said that the government is dedicated to ensuring the safety and trust of all digital citizens using the internet. He also highlighted the legal duties that social media platforms must follow under the IT rules.
Under the IT rules introduced in April 2023, social media platforms are required to prevent the spread of false information by users and promptly remove such content when reported by either users or the government.
The minister warned that failing to comply with these rules could lead to legal consequences, as per the provisions of the Indian Penal Code. He stressed that deepfakes, which involve using AI to alter photos or videos, have become a significant source of misinformation that these platforms need to address.
Deepfakes have gained notoriety as a tool for creating 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.
In response to the viral deepfake video, Rashmika Mandanna, known for her roles in films like “Pushpa” and “Varisu,” expressed her deep concern about the misuse of technology.
In a heartfelt post, Mandanna stated that she feels hurt to share and discuss the spread of the deepfake video featuring her. She emphasized that such incidents are not only extremely scary for her but also for everyone vulnerable to harm due to the misuse of technology.
Mandanna expressed her gratitude to her family, friends, and well-wishers for their unwavering support and protection. She also noted that if a similar incident had occurred during her school or college days, it would have been extremely challenging to handle.
As a woman and actor, Mandanna highlighted the importance of addressing such issues as a community with urgency to prevent more people from falling victim to identity theft.
What is Deepfakes: AI-Generated Fake Content
Deepfakes use advanced technology like AI, machine learning, and deep neural networks to create highly convincing fake images and videos. These fake content pieces imitate real people, generating fictional photos, altered videos, and even copied voices. The process involves training an algorithm with real video footage of a specific individual through deep learning.
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Deepfakes manipulate the faces of their targets, producing entirely fabricated content that makes it seem as if a person is saying or doing things they never actually did. This technology allows you to insert the target person’s face and body into any video, even popular movies and TV shows. The technology analyzes the person’s appearance from various angles and then seamlessly integrates them into the film or video clip. Deepfake tools are readily available through various apps found on app stores and websites.