Minister of State for Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, announced on Monday that the government will soon implement stricter rules under the Information Technology (IT) Act to ensure compliance by platforms operating in India. This announcement comes as a response to concerns about deepfakes and misinformation, particularly those powered by artificial intelligence (AI), posing a threat to the safety and trust of Indian users.
Chandrasekhar expressed his gratitude to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar for bringing attention to a fake video through a post on X. The Union Minister highlighted that deepfakes and misinformation, when fueled by AI, represent a significant danger, and platforms are obligated to comply with the advisories issued by the government.
In his post on X, Chandrasekhar stated, “Thank you @sachin_rt for this tweet. #DeepFakes and misinformation powered by #AI are a threat to Safety&Trust of Indian users and represent harm & legal violation that platforms have to prevent and take down. Recent Advisory by @GoI_MeitY requires platforms to comply with this 100%. We will be shortly notifying tighter rules under IT Act to ensure compliance by platforms.”
Sachin Tendulkar had earlier cautioned the public about a fake video circulating on social media and urged people to report such misleading content. He emphasized the misuse of technology and called on social media platforms to be vigilant and responsive to complaints. The cricketer requested swift action to counter the spread of misinformation and fake news.
Deepfakes involve the use of AI to create synthetic or altered media that convincingly misrepresents or impersonates someone. The government’s focus on addressing this issue aligns with the broader efforts to combat misinformation and protect the online safety of users.
In recent months, the Indian government has directed all platforms to adhere to IT rules, emphasizing the need for companies to inform users clearly about prohibited content. The government has instructed platforms to take decisive action against deepfakes, aligning their terms of use and community guidelines with the IT Rules and existing laws.
The government’s commitment to implementing stricter rules reflects the growing concerns about the impact of misinformation and the misuse of AI technologies. By tightening regulations, authorities aim to ensure that online platforms take proactive measures to prevent the dissemination of misleading content and protect the digital well-being of users. The forthcoming rules under the IT Act are expected to provide a comprehensive framework for platform compliance and contribute to fostering a safer online environment in India.