The government held another meeting with social media platforms to ‘review’ the efforts made by companies in tackling the issue of deepfakes. Sources gave this information. ‘Deepfake’ refers to tampered media content. In this, digital manipulation is done with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to misrepresent or portray any person and he is changed. Recently, several ‘deepfake’ videos targeting some film artists went viral on social media. After that, the government has become alert about misuse of technology and tools to create tampered content and fake narratives. Sources said the government has clearly told the social media companies that the 11 ‘harm to users’ or ‘malfunctions’ identified under the Information Technology Rules are contained in the equivalent provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In such a situation, one will have to face criminal provisions under existing laws also.
Additional time given to forums
Earlier on November 24 also, Minister of State for Information Technology and Electronics Rajiv Chandrashekhar had met representatives of social media platforms. He had given the companies seven days to take decisive action on the deepfake issue and adapt their terms of use to the rules. According to sources, a review meeting was held with social media platforms to assess the progress made after the last meeting. It revealed the fact that some forums have complied with the government instructions while some forums which failed to do so have been given additional time.
Zero tolerance approach continues
The government made it clear in the meeting that it will continue its ‘zero tolerance’ approach with regard to harm to users. A final meeting will be held with social media companies in a week to assess this issue. According to sources, while many social media platforms are rapidly adopting it understanding the need of the situation, some platforms have shown slowness in it. In the meeting, the government said that harming a social media user can have criminal consequences and existing laws also have provisions for such crimes.
Permission to prosecute for deepfakes
For example, a section of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) allows prosecution for deepfakes under the heading of ‘forgery’. Similarly, similar provisions exist under the IPC for other types of damages. We are going to adopt a ‘zero tolerance approach’ to those who are slow in taking action, we have given them some more time, the source said. But we are not going to make any relaxation in the government’s approach in making the internet safe and reliable for all Indians. The government will review in seven days whether the advice will be sufficient for social media companies or whether they will have to issue new or amended rules.