The Indian government has issued a stern advisory to all digital platforms: crack down on deep-fake content or face the music. This directive, rooted in the Information Technology (IT) Act of 2000 and the IT Rules of 2021, puts the onus squarely on social media and internet intermediaries to act swiftly against the spread of such deceptive content.

What Happened? The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, referencing specific sections of the IT Act and Rules, has mandated immediate action against deep-fake images, videos, or any related content.

The message is clear: platforms must scrub these digital doppelgangers from their sites posthaste or risk penalties, including a three-year jail term or a fine of ₹1 lakh.

Why the urgency? The urgency of this advisory was underscored by a recent incident where a deep-fake video featuring actress Rashmika Mandanna caused a stir online.

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A UK-based influencer originally crafted the clip, which someone later altered to create the deep fake that showed Mandanna in a misleading context.

The incident has sparked outrage among Bollywood celebrities and prompted a warning from Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology. He emphasized that platforms have a legal duty to prevent the posting of misinformation and to remove it within 36 hours upon notification.

Chandrasekhar takes an unequivocal stance: platforms must combat deep fakes, a new and more insidious breed of misinformation, with full force. Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to legal action under Rule 7 of the IT Rules, allowing the aggrieved parties to seek justice in court.

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