Commissionerate Police Trains Special Team to Tackle Deepfake Threat Ahead of Elections

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate police has taken proactive measures ahead of the General Elections to combat the rising threat of deep fake videos. A specialized team of officers has undergone training in identifying and addressing this growing menace, as confirmed by Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prateek Singh.

In a statement to the press, DCP Prateek Singh outlined the initiatives taken, including a workshop for police officers featuring experts from a reputable fact-checking website. Singh emphasized the expertise of these trainers in swiftly detecting fake videos and highlighted the specific features taught to officers for effective identification.

Cyber expert Prashant Sahu lauded the initiative, emphasizing the misuse of deep fake technology in elections. He warned about the potential dangers, citing incidents like a deep fake video during the Madhya Pradesh elections featuring Amitabh Bachchan’s face. Sahu stressed the need for public awareness to distinguish between genuine and manipulated videos, considering the technology’s ability to clone both faces and voices.

The concern over deep fake videos extends beyond politics, with recent instances involving celebrities like Kajol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Katrina Kaif.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously addressed the misuse of artificial intelligence for creating deep fakes, urging the media to play a role in educating the public about this emerging crisis. The government’s proactive stance and collaboration with fact-checking experts aim to curb the potential impact of deep fake videos during critical events like elections.