As PM Modi Raises Deep Fake Menace, Govt Steps Up Fight Against AI Misinformation
The government has launched a multi-pronged strategy combining legal enforcement, regulatory measures, and technological innovation to ensure a secure digital environment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent three-nation trip, said the world cannot ignore the threats of technology, including the misuse of deep fake, even as he lauded the advancement of technology.
Back home, a full-scale effort is underway to mitigate the challenge of AI misinformation. The Union government has launched a multi-pronged strategy combining legal enforcement, regulatory measures, and technological innovation to ensure a secure and trustworthy digital environment.
At the heart of this initiative lies the Information Technology Act, 2000, which, along with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, forms the legal foundation to tackle cybercrimes, including deep fakes. The IT Act penalises a range of offences such as identity theft, impersonation, privacy violations, transmission of obscene material, and cyberterrorism—irrespective of whether the content is human-generated or AI-created.
Under the 2021 IT Rules, digital platforms and intermediaries, including social media companies, are legally required to act swiftly against unlawful content. This includes misinformation, impersonation, obscene visuals, gender-based harassment, and content that can mislead or deceive users. These platforms are also obligated to incorporate explicit content restrictions in their terms of service and ensure rapid redressal of user grievances.
The government has also directed platforms to exercise caution when deploying AI models, LLMs (Large Language Models), and generative AI tools. Platforms must ensure such technologies are not used to spread unlawful, biased, or politically disruptive content. Furthermore, content generated through unverified AI tools must be appropriately labelled to indicate its potential unreliability.
To bolster user protection, the Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) have been established under the IT Rules, 2021. These committees offer users the option to file appeals at www.gac.gov.in if dissatisfied with how digital platforms handle complaints, including those related to deep fakes.
Meanwhile, with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, set to come into force from July 1, 2024, legal backing for tackling deep fakes will be further reinforced. Sections like 111 (organised cybercrime), 318 (cheating), 319 (impersonation), and 336 (forgery) are directly applicable to deep fake-related offences.
At the enforcement level, the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) provides a comprehensive support system for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) across states. Citizens can report cybercrimes through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) or by calling the dedicated helpline 1930.
In terms of innovation, the government has funded two key projects: Fake Speech Detection Using Deep Learning Design and Development of Software for Detecting Deepfake Videos and Images. The latter has led to the creation of 'FakeCheck", a prototype tool capable of detecting deep fakes without needing internet connectivity. The tool is currently being tested by select LEAs.
Further, under the IndiaAI Mission, the government has invited expressions of interest from academia, start-ups, and industry players to develop responsible AI frameworks, watermarking tools, and deep fake detection technologies. So far, 38 proposals on watermarking and 100 on deep fake detection tools have been submitted.
'As the digital landscape evolves rapidly, the government maintains that enforcement remains a state subject. Citizens are encouraged to report violations either through cybercrime.gov.in or the national helpline 1093, ensuring swift legal action wherever necessary," the Ministry of Information and Technology has been saying.
To ensure an inclusive and informed approach, a high-level committee comprising stakeholders from government, academia, and industry has been constituted to address the broader implications and solutions related to deep fakes.
First Published:
June 21, 2025, 15:14 IST
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