New Delhi, November 23, 2023
The Indian government, acknowledging the rising threats posed by deepfakes to democracy and public safety, is set to introduce new regulations. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, after a crucial meeting with representatives from social media platforms and AI technology firms, announced the initiative on Thursday.
Deepfakes, which use artificial intelligence to create convincing fake videos and audio, have been flagged as a major concern by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various public figures. In response, the government aims to draft these regulations swiftly, with a target to have a preliminary framework ready in the coming weeks.
During the meeting, key issues were discussed, including methods to detect deepfakes, prevent their spread, establish effective reporting mechanisms, and increase public awareness. The minister emphasized the need for both creators and platforms hosting deepfakes to be accountable under the new regulations.
Reflecting on the borderless nature of the digital world, Mr. Vaishnaw pointed out that global content will be subject to Indian laws if it reaches Indian audiences. This global approach is integral to the proposed regulatory framework, which may include new rules, laws, or amendments to existing legislation.
The potential introduction of penalties for creators and platforms that disseminate harmful deepfakes was also discussed. However, the minister assured that free speech and privacy remain paramount concerns for the government. The forthcoming regulations are expected to balance these rights with the need to protect society from the misuse of AI technologies.
In a related development, Prime Minister Modi, addressing the G20 Summit, called for international cooperation in ensuring that AI, particularly deepfakes, is safe for public use.
The news comes in the wake of recent incidents involving deepfake videos of prominent actors, which heightened the urgency for regulation. The next meeting to discuss the progress on these issues is scheduled for early December.
This move marks a significant step by the Indian government in addressing the challenges and ethical implications of rapidly evolving AI technologies.
