Government Issues Advisory To Social Media Platforms To Tackle Deepfake Threat

In response to the rising concerns surrounding deepfake technology, the Central government has issued a crucial advisory to all social media platforms, urging them to adhere to the Information Technology (IT) rules. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has mandated that intermediaries communicate prohibited content, especially those outlined under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules, with clarity and precision to users.

This advisory, which comes after a comprehensive meeting involving officials from major companies like Meta, Google, Telegram, Koo, Sharechat, Apple, HP, and Dell, underscores the gravity of the deepfake threat. The discussions were part of the second leg of a two-day meeting with Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar as reported by The Indian Express.

According to a release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the advisory emphasizes the need for social media platforms to convey the content restrictions specified in Rule 3(1)(b) through terms of service and user agreements. Users must be explicitly informed about prohibited content during the first registration, as well as through regular reminders, login prompts, and when uploading or sharing information on the platform.

Moreover, the advisory stresses the importance of informing users about the legal consequences, including penalties under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act of 2000, in case of Rule 3(1)(b) violations.

Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar commented on the advisory, stating, "Misinformation represents a deep threat to the safety and trust of users on the Internet. Deepfake, which is misinformation powered by AI, further amplifies the threat to safety and trust of our Digital Nagriks." He highlighted the Prime Minister's warning on the dangers of deepfakes and the Ministry's efforts to engage stakeholders through Digital India Dialogues.

The due diligence section of the IT rules, particularly Rule 3(1)(b), mandates intermediaries to communicate their rules, regulations, privacy policy, and user agreement in the user's preferred language. Platforms must make reasonable efforts to prevent the dissemination of information related to the 11 listed user harms or prohibited content on digital intermediaries, aiming to promptly identify and remove misinformation, false or misleading content, and material impersonating others, including deepfakes.

In the previous month, the IT Ministry had raised concerns about platforms not aligning their terms of service with India's internet laws and directed them to promptly inform users about permissible content on their platforms.

To further address concerns, the Union government has appointed an officer to assist users in filing FIRs against social media firms in cases related to deepfakes.

The government's proactive approach in issuing this advisory reflects its commitment to tackling the growing threat of deepfake technology. By emphasizing clear communication and adherence to IT rules, the government aims to ensure that social media platforms play a responsible role in curbing the spread of misinformation and false content. As deepfake videos targeting public figures continue to circulate, the government's measures seek to safeguard the digital landscape and maintain the trust of users in the online realm.

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