Regulations To Tackle Deepfakes Soon, Says IT Minister

OB Bureau

November 23, 2023 12:47 pm

New Delhi: The government and social media companies will bring out detailed guidelines on the detection, prevention and spread of deepfakes, which has been flagged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several celebrities. The step will be taken within ten days, it was decided in a key meeting on the issue.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting with social media platforms on Thursday, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said deepfakes have emerged as a new threat to democracy and the government is also considering bringing in regulation.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting with social media platforms on Thursday, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said deepfakes have emerged as a new threat to democracy.

The minister said four key issues were discussed at the meeting: how deepfakes can be detected; whether and how people can be prevented from posting deepfakes and whether such content can be stopped from going viral; how a reporting mechanism can be implemented so users on any app or website can alert the platform and the authorities about a deepfake so that action can be taken; and increasing awareness among the public, for which he said the government, industry and the media will need to work together.

Vaishnaw said it was clear from the discussions that a new regulation is needed for such content. He said work on this will begin immediately and an attempt will be made to finish drafting the regulation in the next few weeks.