IT Minister Issues Strong Warning After Viral Deepfake Featuring Rashmika Mandanna.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has underscored the legal obligations of social media platforms in the fight against misinformation, particularly in light of a viral deepfake video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna. The initial video featured Zara Patel, a British-Indian influencer, but was manipulated to replace her face with that of Rashmika Mandanna.

According to the IT rules implemented in April 2023, platforms are legally obligated to prevent the dissemination of misinformation by users and promptly remove such content when reported by users or the government. Mr. Chandrasekhar, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and trust of all digital citizens using the internet. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to legal action under the Indian Penal Code, as stated by the minister.

Mr. Chandrasekhar expressed concern about deepfakes being a particularly dangerous form of misinformation and stressed the importance of platforms addressing this issue.

Deepfakes involve the use of artificial intelligence to alter photos or videos by replacing individuals or elements. They have become a significant source of misinformation and are often associated with the spread of fake viral content.

In this specific case, Zara Patel, an Instagram influencer with over 400,000 followers, shared a video in which her image transformed into that of Rashmika Mandanna as she entered an elevator wearing a black outfit.

Rashmika Mandanna, in a statement posted on X, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue and preventing further instances of identity theft through deepfakes. She expressed her concern about the misuse of technology and the potential harm it could cause to individuals, especially young women. She called for a collective response to this issue within the community.

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, when sharing the video, emphasized the necessity for the implementation of fresh legal measures.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Ndtv}