Alia Bhatt Joins List of Deepfake Victims as Concerns Grow Over AI Misuse

Mumbai: In a concerning trend, Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt has become the latest victim of deepfake videos, joining a growing list of celebrities targeted by this malicious technology. These doctored videos, which depict morphed faces engaging in explicit actions, have raised serious concerns about the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to spread misinformation.

The dissemination of these deepfake videos has raised alarms about the potential for misleading content targeting public figures and the considerable power of AI in generating convincing yet false narratives. Responding to the escalating issue, the Central government has emphasized the severity of penalties for the creation and circulation of deepfakes, imposing a ₹1 lakh fine and up to three years in jail.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced the government’s commitment to address the problem, stating that an officer will soon be appointed to take appropriate action against such malicious content. Chandrasekhar highlighted the existing legal framework’s clarity in dealing with deepfakes and assured the public that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) is actively working on a website where users can report IT rule violations. This platform will enable users to flag concerns and seek assistance in filing First Information Reports (FIRs).

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern about the misuse of AI, particularly in the creation of deepfake videos. He emphasized the importance of responsible technology use in the era of Artificial Intelligence. As the government takes steps to address these challenges, the public is encouraged to utilize the forthcoming Meity platform to report violations and ensure a safer digital space.