Government Mandates Prompt Removal of Deepfakes: How to Spot and Combat the Threat

The Indian government has instructed social media platforms, including Instagram, X, and Facebook, to remove deepfake or morphed videos within 24 hours of receiving a complaint. The move comes after actress Rashmika Mandanna's deepfake video circulated on social media. The government has advised affected individuals to file a First Information Report (FIR) at the nearest police station and promptly inform the social media platforms. Failure to comply with the removal of deepfake content may result in censure under the IT Rules, with potential imprisonment and fines. The Ministry of Electronics and IT is monitoring the situation and will take action if social media companies fail to act. Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized the legal obligation of online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation and urged affected individuals to avail themselves of the remedies provided under the IT rules.