In the aftermath of the deepfake video controversy involving Rashmika Mandanna, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, announced stringent measures to hold social media platforms accountable for violations of IT rules. Chandrasekhar emphasized that the government would aid citizens in filing FIRs against social media platforms if they encountered objectionable content, such as deepfakes.
Key Points
Government Assistance in Filing FIRs
Chandrasekhar assured that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) would facilitate the process for citizens to file FIRs against social media platforms. A dedicated platform will be developed to notify users about IT rule violations and guide them through the FIR filing process.
Seven-Day Deadline for Compliance
Social media platforms have been given a strict seven-day deadline to align their terms of use with the IT rules. Chandrasekhar emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for IT rule violations from this point forward.
Rule Seven Officer and Reporting Mechanism
Under Rule 7, an officer will be appointed to establish a mechanism for users to report deepfake-related complaints. This officer will create a user-friendly platform for citizens to bring notice of law violations by platforms to the government.
FIR Registration Process
FIRs will be registered against intermediaries, and if the details of the content’s origin are disclosed, the FIR will extend to the entity responsible for posting the content.
Deepfake Threat and Technical Analysis
The recent deepfake video involving Rashmika Mandanna has prompted increased scrutiny. Delhi Police are conducting technical analysis, including tracing IP addresses and identifying the source of the video.
Government’s Stand Against Deepfakes
In response to the growing threat of deepfakes, the IT ministry has been proactive. Letters have been sent to social media platforms, reminding them of their responsibility to filter out false information and deepfakes as mandated by Indian law.
Government’s Commitment to Regulation
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a meeting with social media platforms, highlighted deepfakes as a new threat to democracy. He assured that the government would introduce new regulations to address the deepfake challenge effectively.
Prime Minister’s Concern
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously flagged the misuse of artificial intelligence for creating fakes. He emphasized the need for the media to educate the public about the potential chaos caused by fake news.
In conclusion, the Indian government is taking decisive steps to combat the rising menace of deepfake content on social media platforms, ensuring a safer online environment for citizens.
