Deepfake Misuse Can Land You in Jail for 3 Years, Fine of ₹1 Lakh, Warns Centre

New Delhi: The Indian government has issued a reminder to social media platforms following the viral spread of deepfake videos featuring popular actors Rashmika Mandanna and Katrina Kaif. These deepfake videos have raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to disseminate disinformation.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has sent an advisory to social media platforms, emphasizing the legal provisions and potential penalties related to deepfake creation and circulation. They have specifically referred to Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which deals with “punishment for cheating by personation using a computer resource.” This section entails imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to one lakh rupees for those found guilty.

Rashmika Mandanna expressed her concern, calling the episode “extremely scary” and highlighting the potential harm caused by the misuse of technology.

Several voices in the film industry, including legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, have called for legal action in response to this incident.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring safety and trust for Indian citizens. He also pointed out that IT rules enacted in April 2023 require platforms to swiftly remove misinformation reported by users or the government. Failure to comply can lead to legal action under the Indian Penal Code.

Despite these developments, the deepfake video remains accessible on social media platforms.