Deepfake For Democracy: Union Minister of State for Information Technology and Electronics Rajeev Chandrashekhar has termed the threat of deepfakes and misinformation as a major problem for Indian democracy and said that the steps taken by online platforms will be monitored in the advisories issued in this regard. . Chandrashekhar assured that if inaction is found at the level of platforms, amendments can also be made in the Information Technology (IT) rules which will be more prescriptive. In the conversation, Chandrashekhar counted the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, establishment of a complaint appellate panel and strict accountability on digital platforms for user safety as the major achievements of 2023.
General elections in India early next year
General elections are going to be held in India early next year and it is expected that a law on Digital India Act (DIA) will be made only after the 2024 elections and the formation of the new government. On the issue of deepfakes, the minister said that for a big democratic country like India, deepfakes are definitely a very problematic issue for conducting secure and free and fair elections. He said that, deepfakes challenge the personal freedom and right to life of individuals. Deepfakes can misrepresent a person’s statements or behavior.
Will notify IT rules to make them prescriptive
Rajeev Chandrashekhar said that the government is expressing its concern about misinformation and deepfakes on social media and other digital platforms. Platforms have been warned about the problems arising in a democracy like India. In this regard, an advisory has also been issued by the government to online platforms. The Union Minister said, they should have done many things in terms of prosecuting and banning people who violate these laws. He didn’t do anything like that. It is becoming more and more clear that deepfakes are trying to influence election results.
Advice to platforms reporting immediate action
The Prime Minister has described this as a real problem to be tackled, and the IT Ministry has held two rounds of consultations with intermediaries, followed by an advisory to the platforms detailing immediate action. We will keep an eye on the arbitrators for 7-15 days after they return from holidays and if they still have not taken any action, we will fundamentally amend the IT rules and make the amended IT rules prescriptive, the minister said. Will notify for.