Government Cracks Down on Deepfakes: Platforms Must Comply with IT Rules

In a significant move to combat the growing menace of deepfakes, the Indian government has issued a stern directive to all digital platforms, including social media and digital intermediaries, to strictly comply with the Information Technology (IT) Rules.

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Strict Compliance and Consequences

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has made it clear that platforms must inform users in clear and precise terms about prohibited content as specified under the IT Rules. Any violations of these rules will attract legal consequences, and the government will closely monitor compliance in the coming weeks.

Addressing Misinformation Powered by AI

The government's advisory specifically targets the growing concerns around misinformation powered by artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deepfakes. Deepfake videos have sparked public outrage and raised serious concerns about the misuse of technology for creating doctored content and fake narratives.

Clear Communication of Prohibited Content

Intermediaries such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and others are mandated to communicate prohibited content clearly and precisely to users. This includes content listed under Rule 31b of the IT Rules, which explicitly prohibits the dissemination of misinformation and patently false information.

User Awareness and Legal Obligations

Digital intermediaries must ensure that users are informed about penal provisions, including those in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act 2000. The terms of service and user agreements must clearly highlight the obligation of platforms to report legal violations to law enforcement agencies.

Prompt Removal of Misinformation

Digital platforms are obliged to make reasonable efforts to prevent users from hosting, displaying, or sharing any information related to the 11 listed user harms or content prohibited on digital intermediaries. This includes identifying and promptly removing misinformation, false or misleading content, and material impersonating others, including deepfakes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Legal Consequences

The Minister of State for IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has held meetings with industry leaders to emphasize the urgency of addressing deepfakes. Platforms have been duly informed about the legal consequences associated with any violations under the IT rules.

The government's proactive stance in combating deepfakes and misinformation is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and trust of users on the internet. By directing platforms to comply with the IT Rules and clearly communicate prohibited content, the government aims to curb the spread of false information and protect users from potential harm.