In a proactive move against the rising threat of deepfake content, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, revealed the Centre’s imminent action plan to amend IT Rules, 2021, within the next seven to eight days.
Chandrasekhar disclosed that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is considering key amendments, including the explicit definition of deepfakes and mandatory efforts by intermediaries to refrain from hosting such content. The move aims to lend legal support to the government’s advisories on deepfakes, aligning with the broader goal of combating misinformation.
The government has engaged in two rounds of “Digital India” dialogues with intermediaries, emphasizing compliance with existing rules. Chandrasekhar underscored the consequences of non-compliance and outlined the government’s commitment to ensuring safety and trust on the internet.
Speaking on the deepfake issue, Chandrasekhar acknowledged the dual nature of innovation, bringing both benefits and challenges. He asserted the government’s commitment to an open, safe, and accountable internet, emphasizing the duty to establish rules and laws to uphold safety and trust online.
Deepfake videos, a product of synthetic media generated using artificial intelligence, pose a significant challenge as they can create highly convincing fake images, videos, or audio that are difficult to discern. To address this, MeitY is contemplating three specific amendments.
Firstly, the ministry aims to explicitly define deepfakes as any content created, edited, or altered through electronic means that can be perceived as true. Secondly, it plans to make it mandatory for intermediaries to remind users of disallowed content every 15 days, ensuring compliance with rule 3(1)(b). Lastly, the government is considering an expansion of the definition of “grievance” under the IT Rules to encompass complaints related to user-generated content violating rule 3(1)(b). This would involve directing all content reported through in-app mechanisms to the intermediary’s grievance officer.
The proposed amendments signify a strategic approach by the government to address the challenges posed by deepfake technology, aligning with its commitment to creating a secure and reliable online environment for Indian users.
Sources BY Agencies