Mixed compliance on deepfake advisory from online platforms, expect tighter Information Technology rules in 7 days: Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union minister of state for electronics and technology. File pic

Union Minister of State for IT and Electronics, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that compliance with the advisory on deepfakes has been "mixed" from platforms. He reiterated that tighter Information Technology rules on misuse deepfake technology is expected in next seven days.

The minister was speaking on Tuesday during his visit at boAt manufacturing unit in Noida, accompanied by some youths, marking the National Startup Day, news wire PTI reported.

Chandrasekhar said that the government had earlier made it clear to social media and online platforms that if its advisory on deepfake is not fully adhered to, new Information Technology (IT) rules would follow. "There has been a mixed performance of compliance and I had said at the time of the advisory, that if we find that the advisory is not being followed through completely, we will follow it up with a very clear amended IT rules that will be notified", the minister said.

The issue of misuse of deepfake technology and tighter IT advisory came to the fore when on Monday after legendry cricketer Sachin Tendulkar flagged a deepfake video in which his voice was manipulated to promote an online game. Chandrasekhar took to X and thanked Sachin Tedulkar for flagging the video, adding that deepfakes and misinformation powered by Artificial Intelligence are a threat to the safety and trust of Indian users.

In the edited fake video of Tendulkar, he is seen promoting an online game, giving the example of daughter Sara earning Rs 1.8 lakh per day by making predictions.

Tendulkar is the latest victim of the deepfake after Bollywood actor Rashmika Mandhana's fake video had gone viral recently.

Tendulkar took social media and clarified that he had nothing to do with the said video and that it was manipulated. He also said that it is disturbing to see "rampant misuse of technology" and appealed to stop the "spread of misinformation and deepfakes".

Reacting to the issue, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had termed deepfakes "a new threat to democracy" and said that the government will come up with new regulations soon.

On January 9, the Indian government has been granted an additional time to file its responses in a separate ongoing Delhi High Court plea requesting the Indian government to bring regulations on artificial intelligence and deep fakes. The High Court had earlier asked the Indian government to clarify its stance on the concerns surrounding these technologies.

The IT Rules, 2021, currently outlines various consumer safety measures that digital platforms operating in India are expected to follow. The Indian government will soon introduce amendments to its platform governance laws to regulate generative artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial intelligence companies.

(With PTI Inputs)