Union Government issues advisory to social media platforms regarding deepfakes
New Delhi : Union government issued an advisory to the significant social media intermediaries to ensure that due diligence is exercised and reasonable efforts are made to identify misinformation and deepfakes. The centre’s response came after a deepfake video of actor Rashmika Mandanna went viral, which prompted celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan to call for legal action.
The intermediaries were reminded that any failure to act as per the relevant provisions of the IT Act and Rules would attract Rule 7 of the IT Rules, 2021 and could render the organisation liable to losing the protection available under Section 79(1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000
The advisory to social media platforms regarding deepfakes states that any such content when reported within 36 hours of such reporting should be removed. Also it should be ennsure that expeditious action, well within the timeframes stipulated under the IT Rules 2021, and disable access to the content / information.
Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Safety and trust of our Digital Nagriks is our unwavering commitment and top priority for the Narendra Modi Government. Deepfakes are a major violation and harm women in particular. Our Government takes the responsibility of safety & trust of all nagriks very very seriously, and more so about our children and women who are targeted by such content.
The minister further said, “It is a legal obligation for online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation by any user under the Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021. They are further mandated to remove such content within 36 hours upon receiving a report from either a user or government authority”.
For those who find themselves impacted by deepfakes, I strongly encourage you to file First Information Reports (FIRs) at your nearest police station and avail the remedies provided under the Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021,” the Minister added.