Indian IT Minister calls social media platform meeting to address deepfake crisis
The Indian Union IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has arranged a meeting with social media representatives to address the growing concern about deepfakes. The government is intensifying its efforts to combat the misuse of technology and is urging digital platforms to take stringent actions against deepfakes. The meeting has been scheduled following the recent viral circulation of 'deepfake' videos targeting prominent actors, which has heightened worries about the potential misuse of technology to create fabricated content and narratives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his concern about the potential impact of deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence. He warned that this technology could result in a major crisis and contribute to social unrest. The Prime Minister has called on the media to raise awareness about the misuse of deepfakes and educate the public on this issue, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Ashwini Vaishnaw has underscored that the safe harbour immunity clause will not be applicable unless platforms take sufficient measures to remove deepfakes. The government had issued a notice to companies on this matter, and although platforms responded, the minister emphasized the need for more proactive efforts in addressing such content. In a statement to reporters last week, Vaishnaw stated, "They are taking steps but we think that many more steps will have to be taken. We are very soon going to have a meeting of all the platforms, maybe in the next 3-4 days, and we'll call them to brainstorm on that and make sure that platforms make adequate efforts to prevent (deepfakes) and clean up their system".
Responding to inquiries about the participation of major platforms like Meta and Google, the minister affirmed that they would indeed be invited to the meeting. "The safe harbour clause, which most social media platforms have been enjoying does not apply if they do not take adequate steps for removing deepfakes from their platforms", Vaishnaw reiterated, emphasizing the need for robust actions against the proliferation of deepfakes.
